26 March 1998

Charities helping women get £12.5 million in National Lottery Charities Board payout

The National Lottery Charities Board has awarded £12.5 million to 127 charities which provide support to women. Many of the projects will provide care and shelter for the victims of domestic violence throughout England.

These awards are part of a £100 million payout to 1,002 projects in England through the National Lottery Charities Board’s fifth grants programme, Improving people's living environment and Voluntary sector development.

Janet Paraskeva, National Lottery Charities Board, Director for England, comments: ‘People living in hostile domestic environments, suffering from physical, sexual and emotional distress, need support and help. Sometimes the only solution for them is to escape to somewhere safe until alternative arrangements can be made.

‘Children also need a secure home and a safe base in which they can regain their self-confidence and get on with their lives.’

Stella Clarke, Chair of the England grant making committee, welcomed the grants: ‘This is good news for the voluntary sector and for thousands of people and communities in England. I am delighted that we have been able to award grants to so many excellent projects and I am particularly pleased that we have again made many grants which will help some of the most vulnerable people in society and improve the quality of life in local communities.’

Ipswich Women's Aid has been awarded £455,486 to purchase and refurbish a new building to accommodate women escaping from domestic violence.

Other awards made to groups helping women and their children include: Wyre Forest Women's Aid, which receives £226,120; Women's Refuge (Wirral) which receives £197,840; and Newham Asian Women's Project which gets £197,057.

To interview grant recipients or to speak to Janet Paraskeva or Stella Clarke, telephone the press office on 0171 747 5200.