Big Give
We have been selected for the Big Give – Women and Girls’ Match Fund in a campaign which aims to revamp playgrounds in refuges in our 50th year!
Read on to see how you can help us by sharing our campaign.
Donations are most welcome, whether a little or a lot and run from the 10 Oct to 17 Oct!
Big Give pledges to match what you donate up to £10,000, and we aim for a total of £20,000!
For more information, please email
Children in refuges
It is estimated by Women’s Aid, that all refuge services in England supported 10,824 women and 12,989 children in 2022-23.
Because when women flee domestic abuse, for the most part, their children come with them.
And, as a society, it’s vital we think of ways of helping these children heal, grow, and thrive.
The national picture points to our experience at Manchester Women’s Aid. Each year we receive thousands of referrals and in the last ten years alone our work has impacted the lives of over 30,000 adults and children. Of the hundreds of survivors who stay in our refuges each year over half (64% in 2023/4) will have children with them.
playgrounds
An abandoned bike, a football, and an old rocking horse – these are all features of the playgrounds at four of our refuges; traces of the children who live here.
These playgrounds at Manchester Women’s Aid haven’t been revamped for between 10 and 20 years, and it shows. An old basketball court has seen better days. A faded blackboard hasn’t got the same charm it once did. A bench is past its prime.
We are marking our 50th anniversary of helping survivors of domestic abuse across Greater Manchester this year, so this seemed like a perfect opportunity to raise funds for children and women to enjoy upgraded playgrounds.
The Big Give campaign is a fantastic way for charities to raise much needed capital. The premise is simple – any contributions made by the public, will be doubled by The Big Give, up to £10,000 so we aim for a total of £20,000. Our campaign will run from 10 to 17 October and focus on raising funds for one of the play areas.
Warm and inviting spaces
Ashleigh Saville, Development Manager said: “I’m so excited that we are going to be a part of the Big Give Women and Girls Match Fund 2024, especially as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. Being alongside all these other by and for women’s organisations takes us back to our roots for how our movement started – with women coming together, acknowledging that we are stronger when we do. A huge thank you to the Big Give for providing us with £10,000 of match funding.”
The good news is with your help – we could turn this prospect into a reality. The outdoor spaces are ample, and we picture spaces that are warm and inviting and that will be used frequently.
Casey Doe, Project Manager for the refuges said: “Our team provides amazing, dedicated support and care to the families staying with us, but having colourful, imaginative play areas would make all the difference to the children of these families. As well as somewhere to spend time during their stay, they would be used for therapeutic play sessions, with child-led play opening up communication that enables children to start healing. Being a part of the Big Give is a wonderful opportunity for MWA and we hope that people will help us with their donations and by spreading our message.”
Please donate
As Casey says, the domestic abuse workers and play therapeutic workers do fantastic work with the women and children in refuge by supporting them through holistic and multi-faceted interventions. The aim is safety, refuge, but also a better life free from abuse.
Children can experience mixed feelings when arriving at a refuge. They have had to leave friends, a familiar school, routines and their toys. They can’t have friends round either, as it’s not safe to reveal the address of the refuge.
Having dedicated, outside spaces for women and children to enjoy will help improve women and children’s wellbeing. Little nooks and crannies for children to explore. A comfy bench for a mum to have ten minutes before she picks her children up from school.
We hope you’ll share our campaign, far and wide, and give what you can. No donation is too small!
You can email, text, or get your workplace involved in raising awareness and funds!
Press release
For more information about the Big Give campaign, please download our press release.
