Among the women supported by the charity, four in ten had a mental health need, and a similar number were criminal justice involved.
The open access drop-in remains the busiest service, with 580 women making 1530 visits over the 12 months. The longest appointment took 6 hours and 20 minutes, and on average drop-in workers spent 53 minutes with each woman they saw. More than 760 food parcels were given out, and finance was the top presenting need.
Anawim has been rooted in Balsall Health for forty years and was recently named Non-Profit Champion at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce Awards.
As the charity celebrates its 40th anniversary, the report looks back to the beginning in 1986 and tracks the changes and developments from two sisters in a small house on Mary Street to now having a premises with more than 60 staff members.
There are also more in-depth explorations of some of Anawim’s services, including CAMEO which works with female prisoners with complex needs, and has had involvement from Anawim staff since it began 13 years ago.
The report carries more information on the new young women’s service – and recent work with the NHS in Dawn House. It also focusses on the Peer Mentors and Champions Programme, a progression programme for the women who use Anawim’s services.
Anawim CEO Joy Doal said: “As we mark this anniversary year, we know that despite all the changes, some things will remain the same: We will continue working with women and fighting for better futures. We will continue to evolve, and adapt to what is needed most, And we will always listen to the women above all else.
“We hope for a day when our service is recognised as such, and our funding is safe, or indeed - in the best-case scenario - no longer needed.”.
