Exciting news for the Feeling Safe project!
We are delighted to announce that Kairos has been awarded a 3-year grant from the National Lottery Reaching Communities fund totalling over £290,000 to support the development and expansion of our Feeling Safe project, starting from January 2020.
The Feeling Safe project is the preventative part of Kairos’ work. It aims to help vulnerable young women become more resilient to exploitation, and offers practical and emotional support to deal with issues which we know if not addressed early enough, can lead to a chaotic spiral into survival sex and prostitution.
Kairos Director Rosie says: “We cannot say just how thrilled we are to have this project supported by the National Lottery. This project was set up 7 years ago to support young women who are turning 18, transitioning out of children’s services, but still highly vulnerable to exploitation as young adults. Our work over the last few years has shown there is continuing need and demand for this work, and Kairos continues to be the only agency in Coventry offering this type of wraparound, specialist, long-term support for women. This grant will enable Kairos to increase the number of young women we work with, as well as develop new places and pathways where they can get support, including in custodial settings.”
The project includes:
– 1-2-1 Floating Support to help service users address factor in their lives that make them more vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, including mental health, homelessness, drug addictions, lack of family and friendship networks and unresolved past trauma and abuse.
– 1-2-1 education-based sessions to increase young women’s understanding of exploitation, covering key topics like healthy relationships, grooming, consent and online safety.
– Group awareness-raising sessions in the community to help more people know about the issues and where to seek help
– Horse therapy sessions to improve confidence and mental wellbeing
– Peer-support group for young women to reduce isolation, increase confidence and learn new skills including an annual summer programme of activities
As well as expanding the delivery of services to young women, this funding will also support a 3-year research and evaluation project by colleagues at Coventry University into the needs and issues facing young women moving between children and adult’s services, and the impact of the Feeling Safe project in meeting these needs. We plan to use this evidence to share learning and best practice more widely in Coventry and further afield, and continue to advocate for specialist services that support women in multiple areas of their lives, not just focusing on a single issue.
Tianne, who manages the Feeling Safe project said: “Every woman deserves to feel safe and so I’m really excited about seeing this project grow. I love working with such strong and inspirational young women, and being awarded this grant enables many more the chance of a safer life! It has been amazing to watch the women develop over the past few years and I am so encouraged and pleased that we can continue to provide this service on a larger scale.”
A big thank you to the National Lottery Community Fund for their generous support which will make a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of young women in Coventry in the coming years.