Community Services Support Fund

The fund provides payments of £400 to services when they support an eligible survivor who is affected by early prisoner release.

The Community Services Support Fund, led by colleagues at Women’s Aid, comes as part of the package of support for survivors affected by the government's decision to release prisoners early (known as Early Release Scheme).

It is known that many survivors will choose to seek help from local specialist organisations they already know and trust. Women’s Aid will therefore administer this fund to help specialist VAWG organisations meet additional demand.

Grants will be available of £400 for every eligible organisation that is supporting an eligible survivor. There is no limit to the number of eligible survivors an organisation can claim for, the £400 is per survivor supported.

What can the funding be used for?  
The £400 grant is a contribution towards the cost of providing specialist support to adult and child survivors.  

This can include: 

• Needs assessments  
• Safety planning 
• Emotional support
• Targeted advocacy
• Safeguarding support

The fund cannot be used for capital or longer-term costs, including target hardening, sanctuary schemes, formal therapy, moving costs or accommodation.  

Which organisations can access the Community Services Support Fund?
Eligibility criteria
The fund is available to community-based specialist VAWG organisations in the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across England and Wales, including VCSE organisations that provide a dedicated specialist VAWG service. Generic services without dedicated specialist VAWG provision are not eligible for the fund.  

Some services may have received recent surge funding from their local Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to support victims impacted by the Progression Model. These services are able to apply for the Community Services Support Fund (CSSF), but the activities funded through the CSSF must not duplicate the PCC funded activities. The CCSF funding must therefore be used for distinct activities to support victims affected by the Progression Model.  

Who is eligible for support?  
A survivor is eligible for support through this response package if all three of the following apply:  

• They have experienced violence against women and girls (VAWG). This can include women, men, children and young people who have experienced VAWG
• They are affected by the release of an offender whose custodial release date has been brought forward under the Progression Model
• They feel, or anticipate, an impact on their safety, emotional wellbeing or day-to-day stability as a result