The beginning of a new phase
Aiming to put a stop to the negative effects of homelessness, the Building Better Lives fund first launched in 2019 following a generous anonymous donation of £3.1 million to support the development of homelessness support services across the West Midlands. Split between three industry-leading organisations with a strong track record of providing emergency housing support, grants from the Building Better Lives fund were invested into the acquisition, development and management of safe, supported accommodation for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Today, seven years later, we are pleased to share that the programme is now open for new applicants working with people affected by homelessness at a local level.
The relaunch of the Building Better Lives programme creates a new opportunity for organisations based in Birmingham and the Black Country to offer critical support to people affected by or at risk of homelessness. Applicants can apply for up to £10,000 per year over a two-year period to support existing projects aimed at preventing homelessness and to develop new support services that can bring us one step closer to putting an end to homelessness for good. This is an exciting new chance to build upon the legacy of the original Building Better Lives fund, to provide holistic support to those in need and to strengthen the network of homeless support services available in the West Midlands.
“The Building Better Lives funding helped us to expand, enhance and sustain our modern slavery safe house. We are proud of this sanctuary where victim-survivors can heal and recover from the trauma of modern slavery and exploitation. It is a safe space where people can come together to support each other, but also have the privacy and dignity that comes with having their own front door. Thank you, Heart of England Community Foundation.” – Sara Ward, Chief Executive Officer of Black Country Women’s Aid.
Black Country Women’s Aid were one of three organisations to be awarded a grant from the original Building Better Lives fund in 2019. Having supported survivors of domestic abuse for more than 40 years, they were awarded £822,408 for the development of a 13-flat refuge for female victims of modern slavery and their children. The grant enabled BCWA to purchase, extend and refurbish the refuge, repurposing old offices and storage spaces to create a new reception centre and activities space, which will allow partner agencies to provide specialist counselling and therapeutic services on-site for residents. This opportunity helped BCWA meet the rising demand for support services for vulnerable women, and since opening in 2021, 108 women and children escaping modern slavery have been supported at the new refuge.
“We are grateful for what we have here. At the moment, it’s more than a person can ever ask for. I think the charity does beyond it. It’s gratitude.” – One of Black Country Women’s Aid’s clients.
A grant of £1,085,000 was awarded to St Basil’s to purchase and renovate 32 units of supported accommodation for young people in Coventry and Warwickshire. The Building Better Lives programme gave St Basil’s, who work nationally to prevent youth homelessness, the opportunity to meet the increasing demand for housing services in Coventry by developing Lorna Esien Court. Since opening its doors in 2020, St Basil’s have supported 180 young people living at Lorna Esien Court – 150 of which have now moved on to their own tenancies.
“The Building Better Lives funding we received from Heart of England Community Foundation helped us provide safe and secure accommodation for young people experiencing homelessness in Coventry. Before this funding we were not in a position to provide our own accommodation to young people. This funding was a game changer, in that we had a place to provide a home to young people who needed it. Its impact will provide positive futures to young people for many years to come. On behalf of them all, thank you.” – Jean Templeton, Chief Executive of St Basil’s.
The Building Better Lives fund is now open for new applicants. Click here for additional information and to apply online.