For more than 30 years, a charity has made women ‘feel safe and at home’

Liverpool women’s charity Amadudu is to win a Community Organization Gender Award at the 2024 National Diversity Awards (NDA) for its work to make women “feel safe and at home”. They opened their doors on March 8, 1992 for International Women’s Women. Day.

Amadudu, (a Nigerian word meaning ‘coloured’) was created as a result of ‘an evidence base which demonstrated the need for a specialist black refuge in Liverpool’ for women. The Black Women’s Group in Toxteth involved in its establishment became actively involved in local challenges for the betterment of Black and diverse communities. The achievement is huge for them to be selected from over 90,000 nominees and 125 finalists in 10 categories.

Speaking about the nomination, a user of the service who cannot be named but will be called Faith, told the ECHO: “I am aware, (of the award nomination). He deserves it. Their value is everywhere”. If not for Amadudu’s help because of the abusive situation she found herself in, Faith said: “I probably would have gone back and endured a lot again. Amadudu made a lot of changes for me; helped me build my confidence, got positive vibes in me and encouraged and supported me”.

Amadudu was the first refuge in Merseyside to provide specialist support and services to ethnic minority women and girls who have suffered and are fleeing domestic abuse. Amadudu is run by and for black and minority women whose broader work campaigns to prevent and end violence against all women.

They have a key role in shaping strategies on violence against women and girls, working at local and national levels. Amadudu’s strapline is “Empowering Women, Saving Lives”.

Faith found out about their services through the safeguarding team at a police station and said: “Amadudu is a multicultural facility with very supportive, confidential and encouraging staff who have brought so much light to women who have felt lost . Talking to Amadudu has changed many women’s lives to speak is all any woman can do to help the service to help you”.

Amadudu President Beverley Williams said: “We are proud and very excited to be nominated for this award. It means that the people who voted validate the work we do for women and children.”

Amadudu manager Jacqui Gill added: “We are looking forward to attending the National Diversity Awards to celebrate with other diverse filmmakers who deserve to be recognized for the hard work they do.”

The National Center for Domestic Violence (NCDV) website states that ONS figures for 2022 say that one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and in the previous year more than 1.7 million victims were women . More than 93% of people contacting their service for protection orders were women and every 30 seconds a call is made to the police about domestic abuse.

The NCDV states that only 24% of domestic abuse offenses are reported to the police and of this only a small proportion will lead to successful prosecutions. Domestic abuse is a largely hidden crime that goes unreported to the police.

This year’s awards take place at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on 4 October and host, broadcaster, author, presenter and journalist Clare Balding, CBE said: “I am honored and delighted to be back for these uplifting and inspiring awards. It is so important to recognize individuals, organizations and charities who go above and beyond to unite their communities, making them stronger, safer and happier.

“The NDA celebrates all that is good and powerful in an inclusive society and brings much-deserved attention to community heroes whose hard work and achievements might otherwise go unnoticed.”

CEO and founder of the awards Paul Sesay added: “They also serve to inspire the next generation of diversity advocates to be brave, take a stand and make a meaningful impact in their communities.”

Amadudu works with the Strategic Domestic Violence leadership team in the Liverpool City Region to contribute to the new strategies and how they will impact on minority and black women and children. They say their work “adds value to the strategic objectives of the Police Crime Commission and local authorities” and “adds value to service provision around equality and inclusion”.

Their work is a temporary part of the women they help, their ethos is to enable independence and avoid being ‘institutional’. Women achieve in many ways after the help of Amadudu such as; increased confidence, improved mental health and wellbeing, active involvement in reviewing and shaping services and volunteering, including being a friend to new residents.

Testimonial from a service user and mother of one said: “I’m new to the refuge and already feel safe and at home. The women who work here are very friendly and helped me a lot. It’s like having extra mothers.”

Another said: “When I first came to Amadudu I felt isolated with just me and the children. We had come from another town and didn’t know a soul.

“The staff helped me and the kids settle in very quickly and make new friends (and) helped us get a new home. He motivated me to get back into education and still support me with any problems if I need them. Thank you Amadudu”.

Of their services, Faith concluded: “It is a must for me and other women as it supports us mentally, physically, emotionally and financially.”

For information visit Amadudu HERE