Today in our final community story of 2023, we are in the Midlands to find out more about the work of Roshni Birmingham. In operation for over 45 years, they provide emergency refuge accommodation for Black and marginalised women fleeing from domestic abuse and accompanying children.  They also offer therapeutic counselling, Forced Marriage & Honour Based Abuse Hub, a 24-hour helpline, children services and training and development within the community. 

Our Head of Communications, Luke Upton, recently caught up with Shaila Pervez from Roshini Birmingham, to find out more about their work and how they have benefited from a recently received Community Matters Fund grant from National Grid.

Luke Upton (LU): Thanks for the time today, how has your work and the demands you face changed in recent years?

Shaila Pervez (SP): No problem Luke. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, ongoing cost of living crises and lack of council housing we are facing more challenges than ever before.  Domestic abuse services are over stretched and under resourced.  All rooms within our refuge are constantly in use, we operate a waiting list for some of our services and our helpline is very busy.  We are in process of opening a new refuge within the Walsall area, which should be in operation early 2024.

LU: You’ve just received funding from the National Grid Community Matters Fund (Fuel Poverty) for a project to supply heavy curtains to insulate their single glazed windows and distribute warm winter duvets to women as they transition out of the refuge to other housing. Tell us some more about where this idea has come from and why it is so important?

SP: This fund will allow us to purchase thick curtains for our refuge.  This suggestion was made by our residents during the monthly consultations where they talk about how they are getting along and discuss any issues or suggestions.  The residents suggested if they had thick heavy curtains then the building would retain the heat and reduce heating bills - it's important to listen to the residents because they use the building and understand how it feels to live there.  By listening to them and taking their suggestions on board we make them feel valued, listened to and in return they help to improve the service. 

LU: Fantastic. How important is the support you’ve received from National Grid and Localgiving?

SP: The fund will make a significant impact to our services.  The refuge is an old building, the curtains will help to retain heat, keep the building warm and upgrade the soft furnishings.  The funding will also help reduce heating bills.  At the moment the heating is on constantly during the winter to maintain temperature, as we also have young babies.  If we had not secured this fund we would have had no choice but to cut heating times, and increase the service charge for the residents who are already struggling to make ends meet. This funding has come at a significant time. Thank you.

LU: What would most help you in 2024?

SP:  For 2024 we would like to offer winter warm clothes and boots for our residents, supermarket vouchers, essential food items, some money when they leave to help start them up, hygiene products and some money towards furniture for their house.

To find out more and support the fantastic work of Roshni Birmingham, click here.