Our Funders
The National Lottery Community Fund
November 2024 - Present
Our new round of funding will help us to run three workshops at Project Somali over the next three years, as part of our 'Women's Skills and Support Network' programme. We are really excited to continue offering ESOL, sewing, and employment skills workshops to our service users on a weekly basis. In addition, this funding will enable us to continue to use the centre as a social hub and library.
January 2015 - May 2017
After securing highly coveted funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, we directed, managed and translated an oral history project called 'The Bright and The Dark Colours of My Life'. The book presents five testimonies about the culture and experiences of FGM.
We selected data about the life experiences, culture and womanhood of these women, which we then translated into English.
People's Health Trust
January 2017 - January 2018
This funding was used to reduce isolation, and improve social activities to bring women together. 110 women participated in this project, and the positive outcome was huge.
As a result of this project, one of the women set up her own thriving cake business as her first job in the UK. We helped her to overcome language barriers, and the fear of setting up her own business. Her business continues to be very successful, and has been featured in local newspapers.
Awards for All
May 2024 - Present
Thanks to support from Awards for All, we are successfully running a series of IT classes for migrant women at our centre. These sessions are not just about learning digital skills, they are bringing women together and helping to open up opportunities in the future.
Many of the women are now becoming more confident using online services, email, and accessing job applications.
January 2018 - January 2019
This funding supported women facing adversity, such as BAME mothers, those facing a language barrier and those struggling with isolation. The funding empowered these women through increasing knowledge of the local area and the British way of life.
One of the workshops focused on ESOL, and taught the women everyday life communication skills, such as dialling 999, ordering coffee, and general shopping interactions. The outcome was very successful, and many women reported that as a result of these classes, they felt confident and empowered to do things they had never done before.