Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation … “OWN” fund launch September 10 th 2014

Welcome & Introduction Mark West Chief Executive Bedfordshire and Luton Community #blcfown

What is the Foundation?  Established 2001  700 groups have received support  More than £1 million a year paid in awards  Income from local businesses and families;  Local and national government;  Local and national charities  Impact of the funding  Quality Mark

Opportunities for Women Now

Headlines  “Child sex victim held in cell for 20 hours”  “Bullying not childcare holds women back at work”  “UK failing to meet obligations on FGM”  “Domestic violence refuge cuts could leave victims trapped near their perpetrators”  “Domestic violence ‘epidemic’ prompts demand for action”  “Professionals helpless over self harm”  “Career women lose out to mediocre men”  Gang related sexual violence – “It’s wrong, but you get used to it”

Statistics  2 women a week killed by a partner or former partner  17% of all violent crime is domestic violence  10% of young people self harm at some point  80,000 women engaged in “on street” prostitution in the UK  Forced marriage unit advised 1,300 people in 2013 (73% were under 21 and 15% – under 15)  85,000 women raped each year  24,000 girls in the UK “at risk” of FGM  66,000 estimated to have been victims of FGM  54% of women working part time are working below their potential  Up to 30,000 are sacked each year for being pregnant  52% feel victimised at work

Lila Begum

Lynsey Johnston  Previously a Director of LCET  Vice Chair of Luton Youth Network. With Rebecca Bright

Jenny Pearce OBE  Professor of Young People and Public Policy at the University of Bedfordshire  Author of “It’s wrong … but you get used to it” a study of gang associated sexual violence towards, and exploitation of, young people in England.

Four films made by young people for their peers, professionals and policy makers.  I Define Me  Misunderstood  Just a Link  Love, Sec and Conflict

Pauline Stewart One of the UK’s strongest and most vocal advocates for the advancement of women Chief Enabling Officer Inspirati

What are we doing already? Access to EverythingACCM (UK)Luton Women’s Aid Stepping StonesBRASSRelate BACSPAsian Welfare Association CAFPH LCETOne Stop Advice Centre Luton All Women’s Centre EFEABME ProudShanthona Victim SupportLuton Rape CrisisDallow Partnership Kempston NetDignity for WomenRamda Women’s Health ProjectFamily Groups Bedford Nine Red Presents

So what do we plan for the future?  Launch of our appeal:  Raising funds to address these issues and more.  Create a panel of local people who will form a fellowship that is passionate about the subject and who will drive this appeal forward.  Work with the Foundation to create a panel to raise money, help raise awareness of the appeal and help decide which projects should be supported.

Target £75,000

Matched Funding  Treble your donation - and more  £500 donation turns into £1,875  £500 plus gift aid =£625  Plus match from LLAL = £625  Plus match from The AmateursTrust=£625  Total raised from a £500 gift= £1,875

Pledges Sought  Financial support  Gift of time to join a panel to  Help raise funds  Help raise awareness of our appeal  Discuss projects seeking funding

Thank you  Speakers  Lila Begum  Lynsey Johnston with Rebecca  Jenny Pearce OBE  Pauline Stewart

Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen!