THE Community Foundation for Lancashire has won Women’s Support Group of the Year in recognition of its Lancashire Women’s Fund at the English Women’s Awards (North) 2019.
A judging panel for the awards – which celebrate the outstanding achievements of women – selected CFL as a worthy winner after learning about its work to empower women and girls to overcome obstacles through projects support through such as its Women’s Fund.
The Community Foundation’s Chief Executive Rae Brooke and Development Director Karen Morris were given the award at a ceremony which took place Manchester’s Mercure Hotel, featuring leaders from the private, public and charitable sector.
Rae Brooke said: “Our Women’s Fund has already made a tremendous difference, realising its mission to help women feel safe, empowered and confident when confronted by abuse, isolation, discrimination or a lack of opportunities and support.
“With other finalists in our category carrying out amazing work to further women’s causes, we are thrilled to have been selected as the winner of the Women’s Support Group of the Year.
“It’s a wonderful endorsement for the service and support we’ve delivered, and will continue to deliver for women and young girls. We are committed to achieving our ambition of raising £1m for the Lancashire Women’s Fund in the coming years.”
The Community Foundation for Lancashire specialises in fund development for businesses, individuals and families seeking to invest in charitable causes. Last year, to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the Representation of the People’s Act, which first gave women the right to vote, CFL proudly launched the Lancashire Women’s Fund.
With women’s support services under extreme pressure, the programme has sought to fund small-scale interventions, which will make a considerable difference to the lives and happiness of women and girls by raising aspirations and combating the influences that affect their confidence.
Hundreds of women and girls from across Lancashire have benefitted from £70,000 via the first round of funding of the Lancashire Women’s Fund.
Small grassroots charities and community groups have received between £5,000 – £10,000 from the Lancashire Women’s Fund to provide services for women of all ages and backgrounds facing issues such as domestic violence and abuse, mental health and wellbeing, confidence, aspiration, self-belief and resilience and social isolation.
