Hammersmith & Fulham (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Advance and Fulham Football Club have partnered to combat violence against women and girls, highlighting a unique collaboration against gender-based abuse.
The Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud: Angelou 10-Year Anniversary event was held at the club. Honoring a partnership of ten organizations that provide ten distinct areas of expertise and specialized assistance to victims of gender-based violence residing in the boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Westminster.
More than 12,000 times since its founding, the Angelou Partnership has helped survivors navigate institutions and services and regain their voice so they may take the necessary actions to start over.
Advance, Angelou’s primary partner and a cutting-edge nonprofit that supports women and girls who have suffered trauma from domestic abuse and the criminal justice system, organized the celebration event.
Liz Mack, CEO of Advance said:
“The marking of ten years of the Angelou Partnership is not only a celebration, but a call to action, a drive for more – not less – collaboration.
The next ten years will be significant if we want to reach the Government’s goal of halving violence against women and girls, and we have a ready-made, replicable model that has stood the test of time.
We look to call on community organisations, local authorities, and criminal justice agencies to work together to understand and to champion that VAWG is everybody’s issue to tackle.”
Eleanor Rowland, Director of Safeguarding & Inclusion, Fulham Football Club, said:
“It is my absolute pleasure to be working with the Angelou Partnership and being able to host their celebratory 10-year anniversary event. Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a cause that Fulham FC has been committed to for several years.”
He further added that throughout this journey, they have developed some incredibly meaningful partnerships, including with the VAWG team at Hammersmith & Fulham Council, the VAWG Police Unit, and a local women’s refuge ‘I Choose Freedom’.
They have also built a close and valued relationship with Women’s Aid, whose guidance has been instrumental in shaping our awareness campaigns and initiatives to support women and girls affected by these issues.
They are looking forward to progressing our relationship with the Angelou Partnership and are proud to lead the way in the professional football industry on this matter! They remain dedicated to continuing our work to create a safer environment for all, but particularly women and girls.
As part of Labour’s 2024 platform, Nicole Jacobs, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, discussed the value of collaborations like Angelou in assisting with the goal of halving violence against women and girls (VAWG) within ten years.
She also emphasized the necessity of implementing strategies like Angelou on a national level.
“The shared vision of the partners in the Angelou Partnership was that they’d be led by the voice of the survivor – the victim-centred partnership was built on lived experience.
All the organisations involved in this unique coming together should be so proud of what they’re doing, what has been created should be cherished.
This is the best event for me personally because it is incredible what has been achieved with the Angelou Partnership. A huge congratulations to everyone involved and happy anniversary!”
said Nicole.
Cllr Rebecca Harvey, H&F Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Community Safety:
“In H&F the safety of our residents is our number one priority, which is why we have invested millions in community safety programmes including our Angelou Partnership. The partnership brings together organisations to provide essential support to women and girls who have suffered domestic abuse.”
The Angelou Partnership’s survivors attest to its effectiveness:
96% feel more confident about reporting abuse and knowing where to find support and assistance.
94% said that the help and guidance they got resulted in a decrease in abuse.
90% had a lower risk.
89% said they felt safer.
The Angelou Partnership is a partnership between:
Al Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Center; Advance; Women & Girls Network; Solace; Women’s Right Organization; Galop; DVIP; STADA; Woman’s Trust; Hestia.
How does Fulham FC’s partnership aim to reduce violence against women and girls?
Fulham FC backs initiatives like White Ribbon Day and “No More Years of Hurt,” which draw attention to the dangers of domestic abuse and promote community involvement in the fight against violence, that are developed with input from Women’s Aid and other specialists.
In order to create a coordinated community reaction and guarantee that survivors have access to comprehensive support services, the club collaborates with local authorities, the VAWG Police Unit, women’s refuges such as “I Choose Freedom,” and specialized organizations.
By supporting safety and inclusion programs that tackle bullying and abuse, Fulham FC is dedicated to creating a secure and welcoming atmosphere for both the team and the larger community.
The alliance calls on municipal authorities, criminal justice agencies, and community organizations to collaborate in order to end violence against women and girls, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility.