History

A Women’s Consciousness Raising Group was set up in Aylesbury and decided to become a Women’s Aid Support Group. 

The group launched a campaign to set up a women’s refuge in Aylesbury and were offered a tenancy in Oxford Road. The refuge opened on the 1st May 1986. 

Funding awarded by Local Authorities. The original Support Group was dissolved and reformed. Phone numbers became public. 

Portacabin replaced the shed for an office and word processors replaced the typewriter! First database to help manage client information set up on word processor.

AWA became a Company Limited by Guarantee as well as a charity. 

Informed that a purpose-built refuge was to be built for AWA. Extensive fund raising took place to refurbish the new building. 

The new refuge opened its doors to residents on 2nd January 1998.  A second house was rented as another refuge to house two more families. The office became computerised. 

The playroom was registered with OFSTED. 

The Government introduced the Supporting People funding which meant more resources for AWA and a great deal of work to improve and update all policies and procedures. 

The beginning of a specialised Outreach Service. 

An Outreach Centre was set up in the town centre.  AWA changed from running as a collective to a Management led structure.  A children’s group in the community was set up. 

Funding was received to set up the IDVA service and additional funding for outreach work. AWA won the contract to co-ordinate the Freedom Programme.  A house was brought to replace the rented house and increased unit spaces by five. 

Aylesbury and Wycombe Women’s Aid set up and signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’. 

Funding for IDVA work increased as the service grew.  First AWA website was launched. 

Aylesbury and Wycombe Women’s Aid started to work collaboratively on business planning in preparation for commissioning. 

Pilot of AWAre (Healthy Relationship programme for teenage girls) in local schools. AWA were MIX96 Charity of the year.  Awarded the Women’s Aid National Quality Standard mark, demonstrating the high quality and specialist services provided. 

In collaboration with Wycombe Women’s Aid, we were successful in bidding for the Buckinghamshire County Council contract for delivery of domestic violence support services across Buckinghamshire. 

30th anniversary of AWA, supporting women and children experiencing domestic violence across Buckinghamshire. 

Maintained the Women’s Aid National Quality standards at the three-year review.  Awarded contract to deliver youth services for young people affected by domestic violence across Aylesbury Vale.