Non-profit groups can apply for funding for the provision of specialist resources and services to women and girls who are at risk of, or living in, circumstances of violence.
With funding from the Tampon Tax Fund, Safer Beginnings is a collaborative programme which brings together the work Best Beginnings, White Ribbon Alliance and 18 delivery partners from across the UK maternity and early years sectors.
The programme aims to improve maternal safety and outcomes of women and girls by supporting the development of services which address issues such as:
- Obstetric violence.
- Female genital mutilation/cutting.
- Domestic violence.
- Coercion.
- Financial abuse
- Pregnancy informed by previous sexual or physical trauma.
Charities, Community Interest Companies, not-for-profit groups and grassroots movements across Scotland, England and Wales may apply, providing they can demonstrate appropriate governance and safeguarding procedures.
There is a total funding pot of £150,000, split as follows:
- England - £100,000: three grants of £15,000 to £40,000.
- Wales - £25,000: one or two grants of £10,000 to £25,000.
- Scotland - £25,000: one or two grants of £10,000 to £25,000.
All proposed programmes must include the use of Baby Buddy 2.0, an app launched in November 2021 to enable more women and girls to access personalised information and resources and promote self-agency in their maternity and early years journeys.
Groups supporting nonbinary people are also able to apply, whilst programmes which include or focus on men, fathers and boys as their primary audience must specify the onward benefit of their outcomes to women and girls.
Grants can cover programme costs and organisational core costs as long as they are necessary to the delivery of the proposed activities.
The deadline to apply is 24 March 2022 (10am).
How To Apply
The deadline to apply is 10am on 24 March 2022. Decisions are expected on 1 April 2022.
Full guidelines and an application form can be found on the Best Beginnings website.