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'From Start To Finish' Project

'From Start To Finish' Project

'From Start To Finish' Project

Friday, August 30, 2019

Lindsay Birrell of CAHA Women’s Aid discusses with the Frontline Network the very positive impact of the ‘From Start to Finish’ project.

‘From Start to Finish’ is a project which helps those fleeing domestic violence purchase flooring and carpeting and was commissioned through the Frontline Network Ideas Fund.

Prior to the project being launched, CAHA Women’s Aid undertook 12 months of research, which found that no-one fleeing domestic abuse who used our services had been successful in accessing a grant and/or other funding sources, to obtain money for flooring.

The Frontline Network funded project made it possible for flooring and carpeting to be purchased, which would otherwise be inaccessible. In running this project, we hoped to help our clients in making their forever house a home.

Our feedback shows that the project had a strong positive impact upon the emotional well-being of all those who were granted funding.

Jane* received this funding after having sustained a horrific assault which required surgical intervention. She fled with her children and presented as homeless to a local authority in a different area.

She and her children were provided with emergency housing for a short time before she was awarded a 3-bedroom property. However, this property was not furnished. Jane and her children had very few belongings but accepted the property immediately.

In these circumstances, Jane was able to apply for carpeting through our project. We processed her request and provided her with the required flooring. Once Jane secured the necessary grants, she was able to move into the property and start her journey of independence: free from fear and harm.

Jane described how this grant has made a huge difference to her and her children:

“[The house] instantly became a home. The children’s rooms are lovely, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more. We are just very grateful”.

The Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) used in our feedback showed that recipients of the grant had an increase of up to 30% in their emotional mental well-being. No negative impacts were cited, with an overall average increase of 16.1% in the well-being of recipients.

I am proud that the ‘From Start to Finish’ project has successfully given women, who have been through such difficult and traumatic experiences, the opportunity and additional money required to make their house into a home.

Do you have an idea that will improve the situation for people experiencing homelessness? The Frontline Network Ideas Fund can help you access funding to turn that idea into reality. The funding ranges from £200 to £10,000, for ideas big and small. You can use it to develop creative solutions and new ways of working. 

* Jane is not the real name of the individual involved.

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