Annie Hopley, chair of Threshold, explains how you can help the charity support vulnerable women in Oldham.
During the UN 16 days of action round the world to stop violence against women, please vote for us in the RBS public vote for funding.
“Finding Me” offers vulnerable women a programme of creative support to get their lives back on track, challenge injustice, reach out and make a difference to the lives of other vulnerable women.
In February this year, we launched “Finding Me” with women about to leave our refuge in Oldham. They feared re-housing far from friends and family, more domestic violence, no job, no money. In short, they believed that to get a life, they first had to find themselves.
With bits and pieces of cocktail grant-funding, we were able to help them keep in touch with each other, offer one-to-one coaching to empower and support personal growth, develop skills, positive attitudes and build confidence.
They have all now “graduated” with flying colours. Some have gone back to learning; some have plans to start their own business (see the picture above of tough customers at a trial-run of selling what you cook!); everyone has been through a difficult journey, learned how to laugh again and made good, new friends.
Every one of our Finding Me women is now skilled up and passionately keen to coach 45 more vulnerable women in the programme. But our support money has run out.
So we have applied for RBS funding to make it happen, keep the programme going and spread it far and wide.
And we have got through to the finals! Please vote for us online – it is very easy. Just:
• Click here
• Click on Large Grants
• Click on Enterprise Centre
• Click on Finding Me
Voting closes on Wednesday, 28th November, so please click soon for “Finding Me”.
Thank you x 100s!
