The Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline provides a confidential and anonymous freephone support and signposting service for anyone affected by domestic abuse in the county.  It also aims to raise awareness of, and educate people about, all areas of domestic abuse through its website, social media channels, training sessions and public events.  Around 3,000 calls/emails are taken each year, and since it was set up 24 years, it has helped over 40,000 people.

The Allen Lane Foundation agreed funding towards the running costs of this charity’s work. This was £9,000 to be split over a three-year period, with £3,000 per annum from October 2025.  The helplines is a vital source of aid for people affected by domestic abuse and in distressing situations, and can be the first place that someone goes to for help. Trained call-handlers are able to give options and guidance and crucially help the caller realise they are not alone and that there is help out there for them.  Outcomes of the work are that survivors feel heard, believed, and less isolated; and that they gain confidence and knowledge to take safe next steps, such as contacting the police, accessing refuge, or engaging with specialist services.

www.hertfordshiredomesticabusehelpline.org

Resolute Women’s Support Service aims to works to provide emotional and practical support for women experiencing domestic abuse.  It was set up due to lived experience of a survivor of domestic abuse who recognised the gap in the support in her local community and wanted to help other women. It is based close to the centre of Barnsley in South Yorkshire.  Resolute aims to make a lasting difference and works with women one-to-one to provide help and guidance, holistic support and mentoring as well as volunteering opportunities Referrals come from self-referrals, word of mouth, and from a range of other local groups and services. Women who need can walk into the centre and gain support immediately.

In June 2025, the Foundation awarded a grant of £5,000 to Resolute. This is a contribution towards general running costs.  Intended outcomes of the charity’s work are that women affected by domestic abuse and violence will benefit from support in a safe space, and be empowered to regain their confidence and independence.

www.resolutesupport.uk

This organisation was set up in 2020 and specialises in trauma therapy for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence, as well as using other interventions for a wide range of psychological problems. It supports adult men and women with trauma-informed counselling, various support groups, a food bank and crisis service.  It also runs two accredited and structured group intervention programmes – ‘Caring Dads’ and ‘Who’s in Charge’.  Caring Dads works with fathers who have been abusive within the family. It aims to increase men’s understanding of the impact of abusive behaviours from a child-centric perspective, improve their parenting, and rebuild trust within the family.  Who’s in Charge is for parents who are being abused by their children. It teaches strategies to stop the cycle of abuse from happening, and works to change parental attitudes, reduce blame and shame, and helps parents to understand more about a whole range of issues that may be involve in causing the abusive behaviours.

At the June 2024 meeting of Trustees, the Allen Lane Foundation agreed funding of £7,079.  This amount is to cover the costs associated with running two Caring Dads, and two Who’s in Charge group over the coming year and benefit 36 people.  Outcomes from the programmes are stronger relationships and improved communication skills for fathers with their children; improved resilience, emotional wellbeing and physical health of children; and improvements to parents mental health.

www.communitycounsellingservice.co.uk

Action Against Stalking is Scotland’s only charity dedicated exclusively to the victims of stalking.  It provides free, confidential and tailored support to the needs of clients, and aims to support anyone who is affected by stalking.

At the February 2024 meeting of Trustees, the Allen Lane Foundation agreed a grant of £10,000 towards Action Against Stalking.  Funding will contribute towards salary costs of the Throughcare Team. This team of workers provide trauma-informed support, advocacy, safety planning, ongoing risk assessment, support for mental and physical health issues, and offer informed advice.  The model of support is build on empowerment and giving the victims of stalking a voice. It helps to build resilience, strength and knowledge to tackle the often-multiple challenges and barriers that victims face to the end the abuse. Overall the charity engaged over 400 in support.  Outcomes from the work are expected to be: increased capacity to support more stalking victims and ensure a timely response; and increased awareness and understanding of the harms and impact of stalking.

www.actionagainststalking.org

Honour Thy Woman was set up by a survivor of domestic abuse who wanted to help other women. The Group is based in Gloucester and works across the county of Gloucestershire.  It supports women and those who identify as women, and also specialises in helping women from asylum seeking communities referred by partner agencies.  The organisation helps to empower women who have been affected by domestic abuse, and helps raise their confidence and self-esteem.  It offers wellbeing activities, peer support groups, advice and guidance and helps reduce isolation as well as giving a new positive focus to the women’s lives. It also acts as an advocate with agencies such as the police, GPs and specialist services.

Funding from the Allen Lane Foundation was requested towards extending the Group’s support more fully into the rural area of the Forest of Dean.  A grant of £5,000 was awarded in the October 2023 meeting.  Funding will contribute to establishing a range of activities and events in the Forest of Dean to raise awareness of the Group and what it can offer. It will support a base to work from in Coleford, and help run outreach activities across the Forest working to engage and support women survivors.  It is anticipated that around 50 women affected by domestic abuse in the area will be reached and assisted.

www.honourthywomangroup.org