At kinex, we love to get involved and give back to the community. With the kinex Community Support Scheme, we have been able to provide a great deal of help to organisations that aim to improve the quality of life of the local residents of their area. Whether it be through getting resources for their charities, or helping an isolated and vulnerable group get together to socialise and participate in creative sessions, kinex seeks to support organisations that aim to change people’s lives.
kinex was deeply moved by the nomination for Women Acting in Today’s Society (or WAITS) made by a former resident of their shelter. Following the charity’s generosity, the former resident of the refuge wanted to help out, and what better way to do so than through the kinex Community Support Scheme financial grant?
Women Acting in Today’s Society is a Birmingham based charity run by a team of women specialised in addressing issues of domestic abuse. Their vision is to empower women to make positive changes in their own lives, and create a “society where women are safe, valued, and fulfilled”.
With more than 20 years of experience, the work carried out by the charity is vital now more than ever. As reported in The Independent, one in four domestic abuse refuges have lost all government money for ‘life-saving’ services including counselling and support services following cuts. With state funding at an all-time low, organisations like WAITS give women another lifeline through three key services:
- The Domestic Abuse Service – supporting women who have experienced/are currently experiencing Domestic Abuse.
- The Community Integration Project (CIP) – supporting women who have offended in the past or who are at risk of offending/re-offending in the future.
- Women’s Refuge – supporting women who are fleeing from, or who are facing homelessness due to, domestic violence.
kinex was humbled to be able to support the vital work they do with a £500 grant from the Community Support Scheme. The donation was used to buy sofas for the refuge providing a comfy spot for the women at the refuge to sit down, spend time together, and interact with one another.
On the donation, one of the residents of the refuge said: “I live in the refuge with other women. WAITS charity have really helped me and my housemates get back on our feet again. I have returned to college part time to learn IT skills, I attend workshops with WAITS staff rebuilding my self-confidence. I can’t remember the last time I received something new, so it was a real treat when WAITS said that the kinex staff had donated money for new sofas in the refuge.; They even let me choose them!”
And Ria Varnom, Operations Manager excitedly exclaimed: “The kinex Community Support Scheme funding is a wonderful innovation. We really appreciate the generosity of kinex. Just to relax on a lovely sofa and socialise in the lounge together is a treasured experience. kinex is a true friend of WAITS!”.
On the grant to the charity, PR and Content Manager Molly Chong said:
‘It was an honour to be able to support WAITS with this donation. All of the applications we receive are for truly worthy causes but this one really hit home for us. We just hope it helped in a small way to make the refuge residents’ lives a little better.’
The kinex Community Support Scheme allocates grants from £100-£500 each and every month to support worthwhile causes like this. Do you know an organisation or charity that could benefit from some extra funding? Visit https://kinex.co.uk/community-support to apply or for more information, or email communitysupport@kinex.co.uk
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