Women’s Aid NEL AGM 2024/25

Reflecting on impact and looking ahead

TL;DR

Over the last year, Women’s Aid North East Lincolnshire supported hundreds of families affected by domestic abuse through Refuge, Outreach, the Freedom Programme and safe housing. 

Our charity shops and eBay store continued to grow thanks to an incredible volunteer team, generating vital income to fund our services. 

We also increased our reach online, expanded housing provision and continued to deliver life-changing support across North East Lincolnshire, and one of this would have be possible without the dedication of our staff, volunteers, partners and supporters.

Sumarising The Report Detailed At Women's Aid NEL AGM 2024/25

We were delighted to welcome so many people to our recent Women's Aid NEL AGM 2024/25 in November.

From staff and volunteers to corporate supporters and partner agencies, it was genuinely heartening to see that level of interest in the work we do across North East Lincolnshire.

The AGM gave us the opportunity to reflect on the year just gone, to be open about both the successes and the challenges and to share our priorities and ambitions for the year ahead. 

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to attend and engage with our work.

Our impact this year

The annual report focused on outcomes, performance and real-life impact. During the year, we received 4844 referrals, with 864 people receiving direct support through our services.

This included:

• 45 women and 29 children supported in Refuge

• 542 women and 748 children supported through Outreach

• 277 women completed the Freedom Programme

Supporting women and children in Refuge

Communal space inside the refuge

Over the reporting period, we supported 45 Refuge residents, which is down on previous years due to this period having been a particular difficult year for ‘bed blocking’, meaning that families stayed in refuge far too long, waiting for housing.

Although we do not receive direct funding for children’s services, our team continued to deliver a wide range of activities and support for children living in Refuge.

This work has been made possible through funding raised by our Club 400 Lottery, which is growing and continues to play a vital role in supporting families.

What women told us

Feedback from the women we support remains central to how we develop and improve our services:

• 90% felt safer after engaging with Women’s Aid

• 93% said we helped them make sense of the abuse they experienced

• 81% reported increased self worth and self belief

• 63% needed support with police, courts, solicitors or the wider criminal justice system

• 53% of our clients received support for mental health issues

• 97% said staff supported them emotionally

• 45% received target hardening support such as locks, alarms or cameras

• 80% received grants, emergency funding or financial support

• 80% received emergency food, toiletries or clothing

• 15% went on to volunteer with Women’s Aid

These figures reflect both the complexity of the situations women face and the breadth of support required to help them rebuild their lives.

Retail, volunteers and community support

A volunteer working in one of our retail shops

We continue to operate four charity shops across Grimsby and Cleethorpes, supported by an incredible team of 166 volunteers.

Together, they gave 36,853 hours of their time over the year. If this had been paid at minimum wage, it would equate to a wage cost of £421,599. This contribution is invaluable and simply cannot be overstated.

During Volunteers Week in June, we were proud to celebrate this commitment at our Volunteers Evening at The Pelham Suite in Grimsby.

Over the year, our retail volunteers:

• Processed 45,647 bags of donated goods, an increase of over 20% on the previous year

These results reflect not only the generosity of our local community but also the dedication and skill of our retail teams.

Safe housing for women and children

This year is our fifth year of providing safe, secure and affordable housing beyond Refuge.

By the end of the reporting period:

• 14 properties were owned

• 3 properties were leased

• 22 women were housed

• 44 children were supported

This work continues to be a crucial part of helping families rebuild long-term stability and independence.

Growing our reach and visibility

Our marketing and communications activity continues to grow year on year, helping us raise awareness of domestic abuse and the support available locally.

• Website users: 20,622, up from 15,369 in 2020/21

• Facebook followers: 7,400

• Instagram followers: 576

• LinkedIn followers: 456

Thank you

We would like to thank our Trustees, staff, volunteers, partners and supporters and everyone who shops with us or donates. 

Your support makes it possible for Women’s Aid North East Lincolnshire to continue delivering life saving and life changing services across our community.

Our services continue to grow as we work towards our core mission: to change lives and save lives.