Women at risk become more financially resilient

Aim

Increasing financial wellbeing by supporting women at risk to take control and be more financially resilient, empowered and independent.

Safe and Sound Dorset works with women who are isolated or at risk in the community who are often experiencing multiple disadvantages some of which might be domestic violence, homelessness, mental health issues, relationship breakdown, long term illness, drug and alcohol misuse and these issues may be complicated through other things such as age, disability, race or sexuality.

Our sessions for women: disadvantaged, isolated, at risk; help develop responsibility, good lifestyle choices and creative solutions.

We run 10 drop-in sessions a week mainly based in  cafes, some at our own cafe at BH1 4BT, an area where  people are most likely to be deprived due to lack of education, employment, are disabled and have overcrowded or poor housing.

These are the roads where we do our late night street outreach to women on the streets at their most vulnerable, sometimes homeless, often rough sleeping, sofa surfing in temporary or supported housing, experiencing domestic violence and relationship breakdown. 

We run 5 specialist sessions for women throughout the year;  courses on financial resilience, relationships, digital up-skilling, scams’ awareness, top tips for self assessment, partnership returns and personal development,. All courses support financial  empowerment so that  women can become more tech savvy, navigate potential on-line fraud and identity theft, understand the dangers of  cyber bullying, or ‘Catfishing’ (the process of luring someone into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona often to defraud them of money.)

Managing money and budgeting is a life skill everyone needs and we support women in our specialist courses  to be more efficient and resilient. We also support with giving out economical appliances (crock pots, heated airers, electric blankets, air fryers) to help with food and energy efficiency for ever increasing bills and the cost of living crisis. 

Many people feel terrified at the prospect of filling in a form on line. 😣 Many surf the net not realising the dangers lurking, scams, catfishing and more.  We want to help demystify technology and digital skills with practical help,  whilst understanding ways to stay safe on-line.

‘The course has taught me new skills on how to live a healthier and more fulfilled life, managing my finances and relationships better. It has helped me understand what a friendship is how to maintain one and how to keep safe and healthy. It has helped me build the courage to live the life I was given with more confidence, safety and happiness.’

Every week  at The Well coffee lounge (BH1 4BT) we run a 2 hour housing group which hosts Shelter and the Citizens Advice Bureau.  This is a place where women can touch base with a professional service, asking for help with specific issues such as eviction notices, domestic violence, debt management, visa applications and household support. It is fast becoming an important hub for women’s issues.

Our overall strategy is always underpinned by our beliefs and values. These values include an understanding of how much a support system around each person can make a huge difference. Belonging to a community addresses social issues of positive inclusion enabling women to build their confidence. Barriers of disadvantage and low income affect the lives of many women struggling in isolation and can be alleviated through small means such as food vouchers, community meals, laundry and shower facilities as well as a chance to connect up in small ways throughout each week, do courses together, get good professional advice, eat together and do creative and physical activities together. Women also go on to volunteer in our sessions and cafe, gain employment and bring ideas so we can collaboratively create our yearly programme.

We believe that with support women can be empowered to recognise and develop their strengths, confidence and self-esteem, able to manage their lives positively and become financially resilient.

Feedback

I want to genuinely thank Safe and Sound Dorset for all the help and constant support I have received, in ways I didn’t expect. I have been helped, emotionally, mentally, in my self esteem, practically ( given an air fryer, heated airer and electric blanket) and more. All the encouragement and opportunities I have been given also helps my children and our family as I am a better, more capable and present mum.

I have never experienced such a supportive group, so always available and compassionate. It’s very emotional for me to have been sustained in such a way, especially after such a crisis in my life. I have no end of gratitude to the team that makes this happen

Story/Testimony 

If it was not for Safe and Sound, I would not be safe, having had one overwhelming financial circumstance compound on top of the last one. 

Safe and Sound is distinctive, in that, they not only have their finger on the pulse corporately to what the group needs, they discreetly and imperceptibly,  confidentially journey with each person for where they are at and without unsolicited advice or pressure. Their intuitive, non judgemental support is their greatest asset. 

They are patient and do not expect perfect recovery.

One has to feel safe before one will open up.

One has to feel that their response is genuine engagement and that they are rock solid, stable and really want to invest in your holistic wellbeing, otherwise why invest your brokeness to someone who is unsafe and unsound. This would be nothing more than the blind leading the blind with a possible dangerous or harmful end !

I had tried and tried in so many areas to resolve, progress and succeed, but with each setback, I had fallen more and more and even when I gave up my pride and reached out for a leg up and helping hand and the needs still not met, my health collapsed, and understandably my mental health followed suit. 

I arrived at Safe and Sound without my suit of armour. I "barely" (unapologetic pun) had a skin on ( my nerves ). It took 18 months for me to slightly open my heart. 

From the first moment, the anguish and desperation flooded out, but even with immediate solutions at hand, I felt caught, contained and held in SAFE-ty and knowing from the DEEPEST and most SACRED space, that NO matter what, whether immediate solutions or not, the team and trained personnel would be a stable, rock solid SOUND-ing board. Most important for me is what I call WITH-ness, just in the cave with, just on the journey with me, in comforting stillness and quietude.

Silence of the heart has it's own language and can be the loudest voice.

A unique and blessed charity/organisation.

Funding is more than its weight in gold. It is  immortal treasure - the golden thread which weaves as unique beings in a tapestry of humanity and life.

To have efficient appliances given; dry, clean clothes in winter due to a heated airer, is not only a gift of warmth or health, it is an invisible gift of dignity. 

The electric blanket has not only addressed  a necessity of warmth in winter, which is cost effective and constant, even distribution of heat,  it has helped holistically,  including a gift of comfort to help process grief and other invisible, unspoken needs.

Our Social Value evaluation: 

We have used a Social Value Engine, an online tool accredited by Social Value International, to quantify the social impact of our services. The SVE uses the UN Sustainable Development Goals to help organisations see how their activity builds a more attractive & sustainable community/place.

IMPACT IN NUMBERS:

€828,828.68 of social value achieved

For every £1 invested, £8.20 of social and economic value is returned.

Poverty and disadvantage has a direct impact on health increasing poor nutrition, poor mental health and worsening longterm physical health conditions due to an inability to move and keep warm. Investing in Safe and Sound Dorset alleviates this. 

You can help us by doing any of the below: 

1. Make a donation

Every pledge gets us closer to our goal. Early support can help build momentum and inspire others to give too.

2. Spread the word

Share our project with friends, family and your wider network. The more people we reach, the more likely we are to succeed.

3. Volunteer with us 

If you’d like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us. 

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made