Women's organisations generate incredible value for money - WRC report reveals

PRESS RELEASE: For immediate release 18th January 2012

Women’s organisations ‘generate between £5 and £11 in value’ for every pound spent, new WRC report finds

Women’s voluntary and community organisations provide excellent value for money in supporting women and children, a new report by the Women’s Resource Centre has found.

Based on two years of research funded by Trust for London and working with five women’s organisations, WRC found that by supporting women into employment, assisting women affected by violence and even preventing suicide, women’s organisations consistently save money for local communities and government.

Hidden Value: Demonstrating the extraordinary impact of women’s voluntary and community organisations is the first value assessment of women’s organisations’ work, published by WRC in partnership with the new economics foundation (nef).

Using Social Return on Investment (SROI) techniques, research revealed that between £5 and £11 worth of social value is generated to women, their children, and the state, for every pound spent on women’s organisations.

Calling the findings a ‘wake-up call’, the report recommends that government and commissioners who contract women’s organisations develop a much better understanding of the incredible value of such specialist services.

Research also found that:

• Women’s organisations made a considerable impact on women’s overall mental health and self esteem, one organisation found that 71% of those who accessed their services had taken positive choices in their lives and were healthier
• The level of value created by the organisations involved in the project was as high as £11 per pound invested in women’s organisations
• Heba, the first Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) women’s organisation to undertake an SROI analysis, produced particularly high results, with 84% of their users reporting increased independence from improving English to obtaining computer skills
• The effect of such women’s organisations services on children was frequently a ‘double header’ - benefiting both women and children, showing the holistic impact of women’s organisations on families
• One organisation (WGN) is predicted to prevent at least one suicide a year through its work

Five women’s organisations based in London took part in the research, Heba Women’s Project, Rape Crisis South London (RASASC), Women & Girls Network, Ashiana Network and South Sudan Women’s Skills Development. Organisations trawled existing data, conducted interviews, measured the results of their services and undertook surveys of work in order to examine the impact of their services.

Vivienne Hayes, Chief Executive of the Women’s Resource Centre, said:

“There is much talk about the cost of funding women’s organisations; what this report shows for the first time is the undeniable cost of not funding them. The government always presses charitable organisations to demonstrate their value and the findings of this report could not be clearer: women’s organisations provide high quality and cost effective, holistic services for excellent value.

Anne Wilding, Project Manager for Heba Women’s Project, one of the organisations cited in the report, said:

“Grassroots organisations do understand the importance of sending out a clear message about our work, but in the day to day running of things, this just gets sidelined because we are so busy delivering much-needed services. This research project allowed us the space and expertise to really dig deep into the important work we do and show that the work we provide is both essential for women’s wellbeing and true value for money.”

--- ends---

For further information, including hard copies of the report, or interviews, please contact Sarah Brown: Sarahbrown@wrc.org.uk or call 0207 324 3040. Follow Women’s Resource Centre on Twitter: @whywomen or check out our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/whywomen

Notes for editors/about WRC

About WRC - the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) is a charity which supports women’s organisations to be more effective and sustainable. We provide training, information, resources and one-to-one support on a range of organisational development issues. We also lobby decision makers on behalf of the women’s not-for-profit sector for improved representation and funding. Our 350 member organisations work in a wide range of fields including violence against women, employment, education, rights and equality, the criminal justice system and the environment. They deliver services to and campaign on behalf of some of the most marginalised communities of women.

About SROI research:

Social Return On Investment research is a method of research which measures the social, environmental and economic value created by an activity or intervention. This measurement is made in relation to the resources invested into the activity or organisation. For more information read the new economics foundation’s guide.

About Trust for London

Trust for London is a charitable organisation that exists to reduce poverty and inequality in London. TFL does this by funding the voluntary and community sector and others, as well as by using expertise and knowledge to support work that tackles poverty and its root causes.

Trust for London was formed from the amalgamation of City Parochial Foundation and Trust for London in July 2010

About new economics foundation (nef)
 
The new economics foundation (nef) is an independent think-and-do tank that inspires and demonstrates real economic well-being. Nef aims to improve quality of life by promoting innovative solutions that challenge mainstream thinking on economic, environment and social issues. It is unique in combining rigorous analysis and policy debate with practical solutions on the ground, often run and designed with the help of local people. Nef also create new ways of measuring progress towards increased well-being and environmental sustainability.

Funding cuts by local authorities risk women's safety and support - say TUC, EVAW and WRC

PRESS RELEASE

FROM: THE TUC, END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN COALITION AND WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTRE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday 02 August 2011

Funding cuts by local authorities risk women’s safety and support - say the TUC, End Violence Against Women Coalition and Women’s Resource Centre

View a full pdf version of this press release here(19.80KB)

Local authorities are ignoring Ministers’ warnings that violence against women services should not be a soft target for funding cuts and are risking women’s safety and support, according to the TUC, End Violence Against Women Coalition and Women’s Resource Centre.

Research published by the False Economy campaign today (2nd August) shows that numerous support services for women are having their funding cut or withdrawn in the current financial year according to data gathered from 265 Local Authorities in England. These services are essential for women to access safety, justice and to rebuild their lives. They include domestic violence projects, specialist support for ethnic minority women fleeing violence and counselling services for survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Violence against women is far more widespread than is commonly thought: 60,000 women are raped each year, one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime and it is estimated that 20,000 girls under 15 are at high risk of female genital mutilation in the UK each year. Adequate provision of support after violence is one of the key objectives of the Coalition Government's strategy to end violence against women and girls.

Scarlet Harris of TUC said:

“The data uncovered by the False Economy website today presents an alarming picture. In spite of government assurances about the importance of violence against women services, many of these crucial services are being forced to close their doors or scale back their services due to funding cuts.

“Worryingly, we know that the cuts identified today are just the tip of the iceberg as funding for many of these services is likely to be reduced further in the coming years.”

These are not “nice to have” services – these services are often quite literally a lifeline to vulnerable women and girls.”

Vivienne Hayes of Women’s Resource Centre said:

"Women’s organisations provide some of the most cost effective services across the UK for women and families in need. They have also long been grievously underfunded, and seeing these figures shows all too starkly the terrible impact these cuts are having on such vital services.

“Local authorities should not adopt a ‘slash and burn’ policy when it comes to cutting women’s organisations’ funding and should instead ensure that where possible financing is secured and the UK’s most vulnerable and marginalised women are supported. This data shows that a more sensible, pragmatic approach towards making savings locally is essential."

Holly Dustin Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition said:

“We already have very patchy provision of these essential services and by cutting funding to existing services, or withdrawing it altogether, Councils are leaving women high and dry at a time when they most need support to escape violence and rebuild their lives.

“Violence against women support services are not a luxury that can only be afforded in good economic times, they are core services that all women should have access to no matter where they live. We are calling for local authorities to ringfence funding for specialist services as part of local violence against women strategies, as some are already doing.

"We also think it's critical that all local areas have specialist Commissioners who have expertise on these issues, and for there to be a national oversight mechanism to end patchy provision. ”

May 2011: New WHEC website launched

The Women's Health and Equality Consortium (WHEC), a partnership of women’s charity organisations including WRC who share common goals of health and equality for girls and women, has launched a new website.

You can find the website at the link below:

http://www.whec.org.uk/

There will be further information on the website in coming weeks. Thanks to Zoe Palmer from Platform 51 who worked so hard to put the website together.

May 2011: WRC 'appalled' at Clarke's comments on rape, plans to halve sentences for guilty pleas

UPDATE: WRC's comments on Clarke's remarks were picked up by the Telegraph, Independent, Evening Standard, Yahoo News, AFP news agency and more. Our chief executive, Vivienne Hayes, was also interviewed by BBC Yorkshire radio.

For immediate release: Wednesday 18 May 2011

The justice secretary’s proposals to halve sentences for rapists who plead guilty are appalling and, once again, leave rape survivors with no recourse to full and proper justice, the Women’s Resource Centre says.

Kenneth Clarke should also apologise for further denigrating rape survivors by stating to the BBC that so-called “serious rape” cases would still get longer terms, effectively applying a “sliding scale” for victims in such cases.

“Kenneth Clarke’s appalling comments over rape sentencing smack not only of ignorance but of outright misogyny,” said Vivienne Hayes, chief executive of the Women’s Resource Centre.

“The justice secretary’s proposals to reform rape sentences are disastrous and amount to a mere slap on the wrist for this most serious of crimes. Attempting to apply a ‘sliding scale’ to so-called types of rape such as date rape further denigrates victims and lets off perpetrators too lightly."

Rape conviction rates across England and Wales are already appallingly low, as last year’s Stern Review observed, but cutting sentences in an attempt to bump up such rates will be of little solace to women who see their rapists walk free after a minimal sentence.

Baroness Stern’s report recommended that support for survivors of rape “should be given as high a priority as prosecution and conviction of perpetrators”. Judging from Clarke’s comments, it is all too apparent for survivors of sexual violence that this advice has not been taken to heart.

For a pdf copy of this press release go here

For further information or interviews of our chief executive, Vivienne Hayes, please contact Sarah Brown, WRC head of communications: Sarahbrown@wrc.org.uk or call 0207 324 3040.

You can also find WRC on Twitter: @whywomen

---ends----

Notes for editors/about WRC
About WRC - the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) is a charity which supports women’s organisations to be more effective and sustainable. We provide training, information, resources and one-to-one support on a range of organisational development issues. We also lobby decision makers on behalf of the women’s not-for-profit sector for improved representation and funding.

Our 350 member organisations work in a wide range of fields including violence against women, employment, education, rights and equality, the criminal justice system and the environment. They deliver services to and campaign on behalf of some of the most marginalised communities of women.
Women’s Resource Centre – Understanding and supporting women’s organisations

March 2011: Women's building of excellence - help WRC with research!

Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) is interested in developing a centre that will support the women’s sector by bringing together a range of women’s organisations into one building - and it needs your help to achieve it.

The aim is to create a dynamic centre to promote women’s potential and leadership. The centre could include office, meeting and conference space, a cafe plus other social enterprises. WRC is working with Ethical Property Foundation to plan the centre effectively and ensure it meets sector needs.

By completing a brief questionnaire (also here in pdf form) you help WRC achieve an accurate picture of the demand and requirements for a women’s centre - please feel free to circulate to other organisations you feel would benefit from inclusion.

Please return the completed questionnaire by 28th March 2011 – email to anna.hirschfeld@ethicalproperty.org.uk or post to: Ethical Property Foundation Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street , London , EC2A 4LT

As additional incentive - after 28th March there will be a prize draw and the winner will receive a selection of organic treats for their office!

March 2011: WRC statement to members regarding funding

Dear members,

Due to a partial loss of funding we have experienced, Women's Resource Centre (WRC) will, as a temporary measure, need to reduce some of the services we provide to our members.

We will continue to provide as much support as we can in terms of our online resources, research and advice-giving, however, we wanted to make you aware that we will, for now, have less capacity to carry out the full range of our normal activities.

We hope to be able to resume a full level of service and support for our members as soon as possible. In the meantime, please contact us as usual and, where we are unable to provide direct support, we will endeavor to offer alternative sources of help. We would like to thank all our members for their support during this time.

March 8 2011: WRC welcomes International Women's Day with call for UK government to protect women's rights

Despite challenging economic times the UK government must ensure the rights of women are protected both at home and abroad as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day across the country and the world, the Women’s Resource Centre says.

While much has been gained in the past 100 years for women in the UK, from the vote, to the Equal Pay Act and the Sex Discrimination Act, there remain widespread concerns that the current environment of cuts in government spending and loss of vital services to women could hamper efforts for women to attain full equality in the UK.

“As we celebrate this landmark university of International Women’s Day it is more essential than ever that the government ensure that women’s rights are not forgotten and that the services across the country who assist women in need are not abandoned by local government,” said Vivienne Hayes, chief executive of WRC.

For more information please read the press full press release (31.36KB)

You can also download and use our special International Women's Day Quiz (343.63KB) - based on our blog A History of the World in 100 Women.

January 2011: WRC welcomes MoJ move to provide rape crisis centres with up to £10.5m funding

Below is a statement from Vivienne Hayes, chief executive of WRC, on the Ministry of Justice's move to fund rape crisis centres with up to £10.5m over three years.

“The Women's Resource Centre welcomes the wonderful news that the Ministry of Justice is to provide rape crisis centres in England and Wales with up to £10.5m in funding over three years."

“Rape crisis centres and women’s organisations have long campaigned for their work to be funded in a more sustainable manner. This decision by the government will go a long way towards helping such organisations continue their work to support women who survive this most heinous of crimes.”

For more information on the decision go to the Ministry of Justice's website here.

Help Imkaan with GLA audit on VAW

Imkaan has been commissioned by the Greater London Authority (GLA) to carry out an audit on violence against women with a specific focus on BAMER women and harmful practices.

The organisation has been asked to explore forced marriage, female genital mutilation, ‘honour-based violence,’ other customary beliefs and traditions and their links to violence. (Read their briefing paper for more information)

There is a short mapping survey to capture what work is currently being done around harmful practices, and to produce a map of services. Imkaan is keen to hear from women's organisations to ensure it gathers a complete picture of current provision.

The deadline to complete and return the survey is 31 January 2011.

New WRC/HEAR/NEP response to OCS consultation is available

The WRC, HEAR, NEP draft response to the OCS consultation “Supporting a Stronger Civil Society: An Office for Civil Society consultation on improving support for frontline civil society organisation” is now available here

The document is in a word 'doc' format to enable ease of use and so you can copy and paste. However there is also a pdf version here.

Please feel free to use this as a guide for your own response and please note that the consultation closes on 6th January 2011.

Press release: WRC welcomes London Councils's decision to part maintain pan-London grants scheme

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, December 14 2010

The Women’s Resource Centre has welcomed the news that London Councils has decided to maintain part of its pan-London grants scheme.

The decision, confirmed at the London Councils Leaders’ Committee meeting on Tuesday, means that most frontline violence against women services and second tier and policy and voice services will be funded until the end of their commissions in 2012/13.

The total grants budget for 2011/12 will be £17.691 million and will be reduced to around £7.8 million in 2012/13 - a substantial cut to the £26.4 million annual budget for the scheme in 2010/11.

The result follows months of concerted campaigning across the voluntary and community sector and from women’s organisations in the city and will prove vital in assisting some of the city’s most marginalised and vulnerable women and children.

Nonetheless, WRC is mindful that this bittersweet result means funding for other services will end early in June 2011, a move that leaves a gap in London-wide provision in crucial areas such as homelessness and specialist legal advice, amongst others.

“We are pleased that London Councils has moved to secure funds for vital frontline services and second tier organisations that work so hard to protect the capital’s most vulnerable women and children,” said Vivienne Hayes, chief executive for the Women’s Resource Centre.

“However, we regret that the decision to finish some funding early leaves other, equally crucial services in the voluntary and community sector across London without adequate provision at a time of clear financial need. We urge London Councils to ensure that other services and their clients are not left by the wayside when they withdraw funding to them in June 2011.”

For more information please contact Sarah Brown, head of communications, on 0207 324 3040 or email Sarahbrown@wrc.org.uk

Building on WNC legacy - submit your proposals for UK's new gender architecture

The National Alliance of Women's Organisations (NAWO) held a meeting of women’s organisations and members at Fawcett on November 17 2010 to discuss a possible new gender architecture for the UK after the closure of the Women's National Commission.

The resulting document, following some subsequent revisions, was produced within 24 hours and sent in a letter to both ministers and the Government Equalities Office (GEO) with the signatures of NAWO, the Fawcett Society and WRC. This was ahead of the GEO meeting about CEDAW and a new architecture held on November 22nd.

This document is a work in progress and NAWO is asking for responses from the women’s sector to feed in so it can be presented to the GEO in the new year.

Responses should be sent to Annette Lawson, Chair of NAWO at Lawson.annette1@gmail.com and admin@nawo.org.uk

WRC welcomes government's move to abandon anonymity pledge for those accused of rape

The Women’s Resource Centre welcomes the coalition government’s decision to abandon its pledge to grant anonymity to men charged with rape in England and Wales.

Women’s organisations across the country, including WRC, had expressed concern and outrage over the anonymity move.

“This is the correct move by the government on what was an unfair and ridiculous proposal in the first place, which undermined both those who have survived rape and also the organisations who work so hard to support them,” said Vivienne Hayes, chief executive of the Women’s Resource Centre.

“Survivors of this terrible crime must be able to feel that their rights and security are prioritised by this country’s authorities. The government must now take firm steps to address such priorities for the future.”

Read the full release here and for more information, including interviews, please call Sarah Brown, Head of Communications, at 0207 324 3040 or email sarahbrown@wrc.org.uk

WRC and others write to Home Secretary over decision to axe Women's National Commission

Dozens of prominent women’s organisations, rights groups and charities have written to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to express disappointment and dismay over the government’s decision to axe the Women’s National Commission at a time when discrimination against women remains rife in the UK.

WRC sent the letter following the decision today to abolish the WNC, along with almost 200 other so-called 'quangos'. You can read the press release here and the letter here.

You can also see the WNC's statement here.

Come to our conference!

WRC is holding its annual conference on Tuesday 7th December in London and we'd like to invite you!

Held at the Cass Business School near Moorgate in London and entitled 'Facing Our Future', we are offering a range of speakers, panels and surgeries on everything from social media to social enterprise, all the crucial topics the women's sector faces in the coming future.

We are also holding our AGM and are hosting a drinks reception in the evening. WRC has made every effort to keep costs manageable and we are offering a number of bursaries. If you would like to attend please download a booking form or a bursary form.

New at WRC - Springboard training!

Springboard is an award-winning career and personal development course for women who want to take control of their lives and achieve their full potential.

It consists of four one-day workshops over four months where you learn invaluable skills on self-confidence, assertiveness, communication skills, the work-life balance and more. Read more about the course on the flyer here.

WRC is offering, in conjunction with Springboard, an excellent deal on this course, which we plan to offer in the coming months. if you would like to learn more please contact Jaya Gajparia: jaya@wrc.org.uk

Saving our sector - tools to use if your organisation is at risk

Here at WRC we are aware that many of our members are facing – or may already be experiencing – cuts to budgets, funding and staff. In some cases the very existence of your organisation may be at risk.

In order to provide our members with some of the tools to mitigate such threats, we have compiled a list of steps you can take: saveoursector.pdf (54.68KB)

It includes how to lobby your local authorities, possible alternative sources of funding and other hints and tips. We hope this information will enable you to feel more equipped to take on any possible challenges to your organisation.

We will be updating this list on a regular basis, as and when more resources and tools become available.

Future of London Boroughs Grants Scheme - our response

London Councils (LC) is currently reassessing its funding priorities for its Grants Scheme. An initial consultation was completed in January 2010, but with a new Grants Committee in place after the May local elections, the future of the scheme remains uncertain.

WRC and VSF have always campaigned for, at a minimum, the maintenance of the current LC Grants Scheme budget for London’s Violence Against Women (VAW) sector, as well as London’s wider voluntary and community sector.

However, in light of the possible ‘repatriation’ of funds to Local Authorities, WRC and VSF have put together a statement, which outlines our position, which you can find here.

In addition, WRC will be putting together information for organisations facing funding challenges which we will be making available next week.

WRC launches 'Making an Impact' report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
26 July 2010

Women’s Resource Centre launches its Making An Impact report, showcasing its remarkable work to bolster the women’s sector

Download a copy of the report here.

The Women’s Resource Centre is pleased to announce the launch of its latest report, Making an Impact, which highlights the comprehensive work it has undertaken to support women’s organisations across the country.

With a guest introduction by noted author Natasha Walter, Making an Impact takes a broad sweep across the wide-ranging support WRC offers its members and throughout the women’s sector, from training, to lobbying and advocacy to campaign support.

WRC wanted to show those who hold the power to change the lives of UK women the breadth of work undertaken by the women’s sector in supporting women and their dependents to be valued members of society.

Women’s organisations consistently provide cost effective, holistic support despite often considerable challenges. They work hard to ensure women’s voices are heard at a local, regional and national level by those in positions of power and authority.

Making an Impact marks the extraordinary work so far undertaken by WRC to keep the women’s sector vibrant, healthy and sustainable.

“Making an Impact clearly demonstrates the undeniable significance of the fantastic work undertaken by WRC and its 300 members to support women across the country to lead fulfilling and productive lives. It demonstrates clearly the enormous value of the sector and why it is essential for funding and support from key stakeholders and influencers to continue,” said WRC chief executive Vivienne Hayes.

“The Women’s Resource Centre has helped a number of organisations and individuals to raise their voices much more effectively than would have been possible if those organisations worked alone,” said Natasha Walter.

Illustrations in the report are by cartoonist Jacky Fleming and Katharina Koall

For more information or interview with our chief executive, please contact Sarah Brown, Head of Communications, on 0207 324 3040 or sarahbrown@wrc.org.uk

About WRC

The Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) is a charity which supports women’s organisations to be more effective and sustainable. We provide training, information, resources and one-to-one support on a range of organisational development issues. We also lobby decision makers on behalf of the women’s not-for-profit sector for improved representation and funding.

Our 328 member organisations work in a wide range of fields including violence against women, employment, education, rights and equality, the criminal justice system and the environment. They deliver services to and campaign on behalf of some of the most marginalised communities of women.

Combating ‘Power and Prejudice’: Local decision makers must engage effectively with women’s organisations to provide better support for women in society

Download a copy of the report here

WRC’s comprehensive new report, ‘Power and Prejudice’, identifies the barriers facing women’s organisations in creating change on a local level, examines what tools can be used to support local engagement and offers clear, practical solutions to both public bodies and women’s organisations to improve engagement and services for women locally.

Women play an active role in supporting and improving their local communities, however, they remain under-represented in local decision-making and gender inequality still remains entrenched. Local public bodies would make better decisions, and communities would receive better services, if informed by the experiences and perspectives of women’s organisations.

The report, based on 18 months of action research, harnessed the experiences and expertise of local women’s organisations working across England to examine the barriers stopping women’s organisations from being able to get heard locally.

These included local public bodies acting as ‘blockers’ to prevent organisations gaining access to decision-makers, not understanding gender analysis or the need for women’s organisations, lack of transparency and accountability and lack of knowledge and confidence about holding public bodies to account.

“Women who use women-only organisations have repeatedly stated that they want, need and value such services. Local authorities need to hear these women’s voices and take action by engaging with women-only service providers to ensure the sustainability and survival of women’s organisations in their area,” said RISE chief executive officer Gail Gray, whose organisation took part in the research.

‘Power and Prejudice’ also highlights that training to engage in policy, support from peers, building robust, evidence-based arguments and capturing the powerful voices of women service users to present the best case for support are crucial to enabling women’s organisations to engage with those in power.

“Women’s organisations are constantly working to improve the lives of women in their local communities in an efficient and cost effective manner, but all too often they lack the clout to influence local decision making. This research takes a grassroots approach in finding ways to improve this in a robust and concerted manner,” said WRC Chief Executive Vivienne Hayes.

The report shows that women’s organisations have the expertise in meeting local women’s needs and have a lot to offer local public bodies to help them meet the challenges ahead.

“We want local government to recognise the value of women’s organisations. Not only do they save money in the short term, but by investing in women’s organisations local government can ensure better lives for women, their families and communities – which will also save money in the future,” said Policy Officer Darlene Corry, co-author of the report.

Ends

For further information, case studies, requests for copies of the report or to arrange an interview with report author Darlene Corry or participants, please contact:

Sarah Brown, Head of Communications: sarahbrown@wrc.org.uk, phone: 0207 324 3040 or Karen Moore, Head of Policy, karen@wrc.org.uk, phone: 0207 324 3033

Darlene Corry, Policy Officer / report author: darlene@wrc.org.uk or call 0207 324 3036

Notes for editors/about WRC

1. About WRC - the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) is a charity which supports women’s organisations to be more effective and sustainable. We provide training, information, resources and one-to-one support on a range of organisational development issues. We also lobby decision makers on behalf of the women’s not-for-profit sector for improved representation and funding.

Our 328 member organisations work in a wide range of fields including violence against women, employment, education, rights and equality, the criminal justice system and the environment. They deliver services to and campaign on behalf of some of the most marginalised communities of women.

2. Women’s organisations and value for money - previous WRC-commissioned research of the economic impact of women’s organisations in 2006 found that women’s organisations save money. A rape crisis centre demonstrated value for money with a total economic cost to funding received ratio of 1 to 3.58, in other words, for every pound, £3.58 of public spending is saved (The economic and social impact of the women's voluntary and community sector - a pilot study, Matrix research and consultancy, 2006)

Don't leave women hanging! WRC urges support for women's sector despite hung parliament

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07 May 2010

Don’t leave women hanging! New government must make women’s services a priority

The country may face a hung parliament but, despite the uncertainty, all parties must guarantee that women’s services are not left “hanging” for vital support and funding.

“Now is not the time to roll back women’s rights and support for essential women’s services under the guise of ‘austerity’ measures,” said Vivienne Hayes, chief executive of the Women’s Resource Centre.

“All parties made promises throughout their election campaigns to women. Now they must show their feminist credentials and bolster support for women’s organisations in the new government.

“Women’s organisations provide vital services which empower women to support their families, get back to work and contribute to society. The new government must acknowledge the work of these groups and ensure they are able to continue.”

--- ends ---

Notes to editors

The Women’s Resource Centre supports almost 300 women’s organisations across England and Wales.

We provide training, information, resources and one-to-one support on a range of organisational development issues. We also lobby decision makers on behalf of the women’s not-for-profit sector for improved representation and funding.

Our members work in a wide range of fields including violence against women, employment, education, rights and equality, the criminal justice system and the environment. They deliver services to and campaign on behalf of some of the most marginalised communities of women.

For more information please contact Sarah Brown, head of communications, at 0207 324 3040 or email sarahbrown@wrc.org.uk

WRC urges support for women's sector ahead of UK election

The Women's Resource Centre welcomes the announcement of the UK election on 6 May and hopes all political parties will keep women's issues and the women's sector at the forefront of their campaigns ahead of election day.

Women's organisations provide free and often lifesaving services to some of the most marginalised and vulnerable women in our communities, but face losing funding and support from the government right when it is needed most.

"Women's organisations support women who have experienced violence to rebuild their lives, provide training and education to support women into employment, lobby for better laws to end the discrimination against women and empower women to participate in society," says Karen Moore, acting head of policy for the WRC.

"WRC urges all the parties to ensure that the vital work of women's organisations, which makes major savings to the state and provides value for money, is able to continue."

In addition, the Fawcett Society's What About Women campaign has concentrated on holding the parties to account in the run up to the election, you can find more information about it here.

• Read older news items