Bournemouth | Posted on December 4th, 2024 | return to news
Bournemouth to launch handbag appeal for domestic abuse victims
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Community Safety Partnership will collect handbags filled with essential items for victims of domestic abuse.
This Friday, the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Community Safety Partnership are setting up drop-off points across the region to collect handbags filled with essential and luxury items for local women who are victims of domestic abuse.
The initiative is part of the Love Grace Handbag Appeal, which was launched by the family of Grace Millane, who was murdered while travelling in New Zealand in 2018 on the eve of her 22nd birthday. The campaign was first launched in Essex, but BCP will be the first drop-off points in the south of England.
The BCP Community Safety Partnership will be working with the founders of Love Grace and local organisations to collate the handbags, their contents, and distribute them to female survivors of abuse via women’s refuges in the BCP area.
The appeal is seeking new or lightly used handbags that are big enough to be filled with toiletries, as well as donations of toiletries and luxuries.
Suggested donations include basic items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and showergel, as well as make-up, perfume and hairbands. Please do not donate sharp items, sanitary products, pain killers, razors, alcohol, money, food, or contraceptives.
Those wishing to make a donation can do so at one of the following three drop-off points from Friday 6 December:
- Poole Old Town Family Hub, Poole BH15 1QB, Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm
- Kinson Community Centre, Bournemouth BH10 7LH, Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 3pm
- Christchurch Library, Christchurch BH23 1AW, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm.
Love Grace also have set up an Amazon Wishlist allowing you to purchase the items they need most, which you can visit here.
Cllr Kieron Wilson, portfolio holder for Housing and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, said: “As a White Ribbon accredited council that is committed to ending violence against women and girls, we are eager to support the Love Grace handbag campaign which started in Essex, and has been positively impacting the lives of female victims of domestic abuse across the country.
“The bags will go to the women who need them in the BCP area. Sometimes if they have to flee or they are in crisis they will not have much and these bags will provide them with the essentials they need. We hope that the handbags and their contents will not only offer direct support to these people but will deliver a boost of confidence and encouragement from other strong, independent women, that they are cared about and truly matter.”
David Sidwick, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner said: “No one should live in fear of or experience domestic abuse.
“Working in partnership with the BCP Community Safety Partnership, I am committed to taking robust action against abusers, in changing attitudes and behaviours and supporting victims to ensure that everyone in our communities can live safe, happy, and healthy lives.
“As part of our ongoing campaign, I am pleased to welcome the Love Grace initiative into our area and hope to continue to grow this appeal, support women, and raise awareness of the unacceptable violence against women and girls.”
Hannah O’Callaghan, cousin of Grace Millane, runs the Love Grace appeal and has been supporting the BCP Community Safety Partnership in setting up the initiative across the three towns.
Hannah said: “Our Grace loved a handbag and the appeal for filled bags is a fitting tribute to her and a way to help women that have been affected by domestic abuse.
“The handbags are made up of essentials and some luxuries to remind the women that there are people out there who care about them, and that they do matter.
“Each bag has a scarf attached to the handles and a ‘love Grace’ tag with information about Grace on the reverse.
“Feedback from women receiving bags has been very moving and we hope that they may brighten the day of women living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. We are delighted to be working with the BCP Community Safety Partnership in spreading Graces legacy and supporting victims of domestic abuse in the BCP area.”
To find out more about the campaign or to get involved, visit https://www.lovegrace.co.uk/.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need help, visit https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/communities/crime-safety-and-emergencies/domestic-abuse/help-with-domestic-abuse.
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