EVA Women’s Aid

Charity Details

History and Activities

EVA Women’s Aid was established in 1987 to provide refuge, safety and advice to women and girls fleeing domestic violence in Redcar and Cleveland. EVA was set up as a women’s only organisation to provide services in complete independence and impartiality to the government or private companies. Since 1987 the organisation has provided emergency and long-term support to women and children who have been affected by sexual violence or any form of domestic abuse. 

The organisation has expanded significantly over the years and now provides a wide range of services. As a member of WAFE (Women’s Aid Federation England), RCEW (Rape Crisis England and Wales) and BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) EVA benefits from and participants in a highly effective network of support agencies. Specialist counselling is provided to children aged 4-18 and women, surgeries provide a safe space to ask questions and obtain key information (which includes legal advice) and the IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) can represent survivors through the civil and criminal justice system as well as providing a risk assessment to ensure the future safety of women and children.

Over the years EVA has developed groundbreaking services to support survivors of domestic abuse and/or sexual violence. This is because EVA puts its clients at the heart of all its activities and adapts its services to cater for new challenges. The charity provides supported housing to those urgently fleeing dangerous situations. In 2015, the first supported housing for women 45+ in the UK was opened with plans to open future housing specifically for women with mental health issues. Another vital service is ‘The Freedom Programme’. It is a 12-week programme open to any women experiencing an abusive relationship. The programme focuses on recognising abuse and protecting children from abuse. A follow-on programme ‘EVA-LUTION’ was launched in 2018 which allows women who have identified themselves as living in an abusive relationship to leave their partners in a safe way and to raise self-esteem by identifying future goals. 

EVA relies heavily on grants for its total income of £455,372, the vast majority of which (£400,740) are restricted funds towards specific projects. Over half of the charities grant income was received via the Big Lottery Fund (£204,515). Other grants included £9,375 from Comic Relief and £40,000 from the Lloyds Foundation. Past supporters have included the Ballinger Trust which gave £29,400 in 2016. 

Vital Statistics (year to 31/03/2017)

Website

https://evawomensaid.org.uk/

References