Sheffield Women’s Aid has pushed for a commitment of £2M from the government following the recent budget announcement.

The charity has urgently called for specialised and dedicated funding to ensure that organisations are well equipped to deal with the demand of women and children in dire need of support.

Hollie Venn, the CEO of Sheffield Women’s Aid, from Nottinghamshire said: “I think the wider sector against violence to women and girls were quite disappointed really that there wasn’t more commitment made around funding specialist services.

“It’s a very personal thing for me. I have that direct lived experience, so I know how important it is to have services available at the point of need for people,” she said.

The organisation has asked for increased funding to the Home Office Flexible Fund from 2025 to improve the effectiveness and availability of lifesaving resources for domestic abuse victims.

According to the Sheffield Women’s Aid 2023 report, the organisation supported 83 women and 77 children last year, with approximately 90% of them securing independent housing.

Ms Venn said: “I feel a real privilege to be able to work in the charity, what keeps me coming to work is knowing that sadly, we’re still needing these services 50 years on.”

Photo credit: Sheffield Women’s Aid: CEO Hollie Venn

National Women’s Aid put forward their case, highlighting the short fall for services and what is required for them to provide efficient support. 

The budget laid out plans to introduce funding in police stations to better support domestic abuse victims, however specialised organisations hope their services will be acknowledged and supported.

“What we were hoping for was something that would actually translate into funding for professionalists like ourselves to be able to deliver that work, that was very silent in the budget,” said Ms Venn.

The nation-wide organisation, which was established in 1974, has been providing emergency accommodation for women and children who are victims of domestic and sexual abuse for 50 years.

Twitter post from: @womensaid

The Sheffield branch works to house and support women over the age of 16 and their children across two locations in the city.

“We can’t deliver that work unless we have the funding to recruit staff, retain staff and provide their training, so it’s a bit disappointing that there hasn’t been any firm commitment for dedicated funding,” said Ms Venn. 

“I’m really passionate about the work that we do, I really believe in what we do and I can see the direct difference that it makes on a daily basis for survivors.”

Claire Harding, the Project Manager of the Young Women’s Christian Association Yorkshire, from Sheffield, said: “The need for support for women’s services is urgent, and it’s disheartening that adequate resources aren’t consistently allocated.

“Each day, I see women who have suffered silently, and I know that our services may be the first time someone listens to them without judgement or disbelief,” she said.

Women’s organisations have had to rely on funding from sources like Children In Need, the National Lottery, and general donations because of the inadequate funding.

Ms Harding said: “When the support systems that should protect women are underfunded or inconsistent, it sends a message that these issues aren’t a priority.”

To find support or learn more about the services visit Sheffield Women’s Aid and ywcayorkshire. Also find support by following @WA_Sheffield on X.