The 1980s were a tumultuous time in British history, marked by racial tensions, with uprisings against racist experiences being met with a far-right response to ‘keep Britain white’. As one can imagine, this most definitely was not a time where if you were Black you felt like a protected and valued member of society, and particularly not if you were a Black woman trying to escape domestic violence. Amongst all this upheaval, emerged a charity dedicated to make it easier for women who faced barriers due to racism and discrimination, to obtain the vital services they required.
Having started out as the Newham Asian Women’s Collective (NAWC) in 1981, the group then established itself as a black feminist organisation in 1987. Over several decades, various partnerships with Black, immigrant and anti-racism groups were formed to bring about the London Black Women’s Project in 2015.
Over these years, the organisation has provided support for the minority communities across London. The support that the London Black Women’s Project provides consists of a refuge service, free legal advice, and counselling. These services are offered as different ‘projects’:
Project: Life- the organisation delivers initial therapeutic support and intervention towards an ‘outcomes based’ approach. There is also long-term support available involving individual counselling to address mental health issues. The aim is to obtain healing and recovery through the regaining of self-worth.
Project: Empower- providing free and confidential legal advice and information to BME women of all ages, operating in safe women only spaces. The main intention is to ensure that alternative legal options are available to women who are often restricted to often damaging ‘privatised legal processes’ which serve to silence survivors.
Project: Free Choice- a forced marriage project that focuses on intervention and prevention through raising awareness within schools and offering refuge spaces for women fleeing forced marriages.
Project: Aware- focuses on challenging society’s normalisation and tolerance of violence towards women and supports young women who are at risk of sexual harassment and exploitation. The project seeks to break the cycle of violence by increasing awareness and building confidence in young women.
The work that the organisation does is truly lifesaving, but such work can only be sustained through continuing support and donations. The organisation does experience difficulty in meeting the needs of the communities that they serve. The demand for the services the organisation provides is high. In Newham, 35 women per year were referred to other refuges due to a lack of bedspace. Despite already having several funders, the cost of these services, and expanding them further, can be high and so any extra help is always appreciated. If you wish to donate you can do so here. Anything you are willing to give will be of great benefit- £2 will provide a young woman with art and education materials for a year.
Please do continue the conversation about the London Black Women’s Project. With continued support, the organisation can go on changing the lives of women who need it most.