GPSoc Charity of the Year: Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid

Written by Jade Fellows, GP Soc Prescribing Rep, Final Year Medical Student

Here at GPSociety, we decided that the events we run in particular our upcoming conference would be held in order to support one of our local charities. We held a vote and our members voted to support the Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid. So today we thought we would share some of the amazing work they do.

Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid provided emotional and practical support

to 14586 women and 3996 children affected by domestic violence and abuse in 2019-2020.

This represents a 46% increase in the number of women supported last year.

At Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid, 3 pillars define their main areas of work.

- Supporting women and children affected by domestic violence and abuse

- Educate, train and inspire action

- Advocate and campaign for the rights of all women

Their partnership with Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Trust and University Hospitals Birmingham has allowed the BSWA to ensure staff members are protected from domestic abuse and also provide training to medical practitioners on identifying and responding to signs of domestic abuse.

They have been able to help more women in financial difficulty by having a DWP Outreach worker to help both staff and women who need financial help in providing training and support to staff.

A new triage phone line has helped women with housing difficulties and in the first 3 months have received up to 280 calls a month. Also placing a new role at their Housing Options Hub to help those with complex needs has allowed the BSWA to help so many more women. Since opening the Housing Options Hub has been able to help 200 women a month on average.

The BSWA received a nomination for Helpline of the Year and received a state Member award fro helping other organisation to set up helplines.

They have worked with 857 young people in 24 schools, delivering Our 3 pillars At Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid running 115 sessions altogether. We have also been busy equipping the next generation of young women on college courses, such as social workers with ways to identify and deal with disclosures of domestic abuse. This year we worked with 255 young women.

They have been involved with over 12 local and national consultations and inquiries, including to MHCLG, reviews of the Victims Code, reviewing the impact of the Homelessness Reduction Act, and the Prostitution Inquiry. They were also involved with many campaigns. These included the Good Night Out campaign, which calls for an elimination of sexual harassment in the nightlife industry. They led training with bar and club staff to help them identify and best deal with sexual harassment.

Demand for their services is increasing. With generous support, they will be able to reach more women and children living with the effects of domestic violence and abuse. They will be able to extend training programmes so more agencies and professionals are better equipped to support women and children and to do so safely. They will also use resources to campaign and lobby government to create stronger legal frameworks and improve current protective legislation.

How can you be involved?

Volunteering

Each volunteer is an integral member of our team and we value their time, commitment and enthusiasm. Current opportunities for volunteers are: • helpline • drop-in • fundraising • retail

Become a BSWA Campaign Champion

Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid Campaign Champions support their work on a local and national level, using their platform to give voice to the women and children who need support.

Don’t forget all proceeds of our Virtual Conference Exploring the World of General Practice will go to the BSWA.

Tickets are £3 each and we can’t wait to share our lineup of speakers and Workshops with you soon!

Tickets Available via filling in the form here https://forms.gle/sk9NPkYRRxQpJzsW8

Remember to donate to our Just Giving page here and please include your name so we can verify your donation and ticket https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/uobgpsociety

Thank you to the BSWA for providing this information.