New Beginnings Peer Support group has been recognised with a special award from the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire.
Harrogate charity given special award by High Sheriff as it marks fifth birthday
A Harrogate-based charity which helps provide essential support to women who have escaped abusive relationships has been recognised with a special award from the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire.
Lindsay Oliver of the New Beginnings Peer Support group was presented with a certificate marking their ‘great and valuable service to the community’ during an event at Windsor House in Harrogate last week.
The charity marked its fifth birthday with a party at the business hub’s Pantry café on Tuesday with the High Sheriff Clare Granger joined by volunteers and invited guests.
Run by CEO and founder, Lindsay, the charity was set up to fill the growing post-crisis support gap for women and children who have been forced to flee from domestic abuse.
The very first peer support group meeting was held in February 2019 and since then hundreds of women and children from across the Harrogate district, Craven and Selby have benefitted from the invaluable advice and services provided by the charity.
Lindsay started the charity after experiencing her own escape from an abusive relationship in 2018 and her dedication to help other women in her position has now seen her launch a campaign to raise £5,000 of crucial funding in this, their fifth year.
Upon receiving the commendation from the High Sheriff, she was quick to pay tribute to the team of support staff and volunteers who deliver such vital services to women who are often desperate for assistance.
She said:
She added:“I am Absolutely delighted to have received an award from the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire for New Beginnings Peer Support's 'great and valuable services to the community’ it has been the icing on the cake as we celebrate our fifth anniversary this week.
“The service we deliver is not possible without the dedication of our trustees, staff and volunteers and so it was wonderful to have so many of them present during the presentation of the award and for the whole team to be recognised in this way."
“To mark our fifth birthday, we are looking to raise £5,000 for the charity, which will provide us with crucial funds to carry on the good work that our team of volunteers do across Harrogate, Craven and Selby.
“We really appreciate any support that the community can provide, raising this target will make a huge difference to the women and children who feel they are alone and still experiencing negative outcomes from their abusive relationship that they left years ago.”
Services provided by New Beginnings Peer Support include: One-to-one and group support, advice on education, training and employment, the supply of family activity packs, the organisation of family activity days and the donation of toys and vital living items and utensils.
Various other practical support sessions are also held, while women also have the opportunity to take part in the Own My Life 12-week course designed to help women who have been subjected to abuse to regain ownership of their lives.
The fundraising target of £5,000 amounts to an extra day per week of peer support for a whole year.
You can help support New Beginnings by donating here.
Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
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