Apply Now: HIWCF Tampon Tax Funding Now Available to Support Local Women and Girls
Grants of between £5,000 – £10,000 are now available through the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF), from the Tampon Tax Community Fund. Local community groups can apply for grants to support marginalised women and girls of all ages and backgrounds to overcome the barriers that prevent them from fulfilling their potential.
The funding is for projects and services that directly benefit women and girls across Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight. Projects that build skills, confidence and self-esteem or that make a long-term difference to health and well-being are eligible. In addition, projects connecting women to others to promote shared experiences and to build social networks are also welcomed.
Grant Cornwell MBE, Chief Executive at HIWCF said “We are delighted to be distributing the Tampon Tax Community Fund once again, directing funds generated from the VAT on sanitary products towards projects that improve the lives of disadvantaged women and girls across our region. HIWCF has an in-depth understanding of need in our local area, and we are passionate about supporting the smaller, locally rooted organisations working directly with women and girls, to help make a big difference to their lives.”
Portsmouth Abuse & Rape Counselling Service (PARCS) received a £10,000 grant under the previous round of Tampon Tax funding, and Centre Director Kim Hosier commented “Many women accessing our groups experience misplaced feelings of guilt and shame alongside ill-health and most have little contact with other survivors leaving them feeling completely alone. Our grant enabled us to extend group sessions for those who have experienced sexual abuse to build their confidence, access mutual support and learn from each other. The women report back that being in a room full of those who share a similar experience was one of the most powerful aspects of their experiences with PARCS.”
Photo: Thanks to the Portsmouth Abuse & Rape Counselling Service Team (PARCS)
Grassroots groups such as PARCS are doing amazing work to support women and girls in their local communities. These small but vital organisations often run on a shoestring budget and struggle to compete for the larger funding pots. Community Foundations are part of a national network recognised by government for their local knowledge and HIWCF will use this vital funding to support these groups working so hard on the ground to make a big difference to women’s lives.
Groups can apply online for Tampon Tax Community Fund grants on the HIWCF website, applications close on 11th October 2019: www.hiwcf.com/funds/tampon-tax-community/
