CHARITY / VOLUNTARY
Sponsored by Thirteen
WINNER : M Y SISTERS PLACE
Winning the Charity / Voluntary award was a morale-boost for My Sisters Place , a Middlesbrough-based organisation dedicated to supporting and improving the lives of women affected by domestic abuse and empowering them to live safe , violence-free lives .
Fundraiser Verity Stangroom said : “ It was a total surprise to win and a wonderful feeling - a time to pause and celebrate our achievements . No one has had an easy time of it recently and everyone involved in the charity sector knows how difficult things are .”
Covid-19 certainly put extra pressure on My Sisters Place , whose vital work across the Tees region and beyond impressed the judges .
Rising to the challenge , the team offered some of the most vulnerable women – some with complex interrelated issues - the same help from home , with frontline staff discussing options , making risk assessments virtually and providing emotional support .
In 2020 alone , nearly 1,800 women were referred to the charity , with 908 females and families supported .
“ We are determined to improve the lives of more and more women and children , and we need the support of our community to help us do this ,” said Verity .
“ Thank you , Tees Businesswomen Awards , for giving us this platform .”
Thirteen ' s Heather Ashton presented the Charity award to Verity Stangroom of My Sisters Place .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
Rubies
Rubies is a grassroots charity based in South Bank with a vision to encourage girls to discover their strengths and know their true worth . The charity ’ s work helps vulnerable girls to increase their self-esteem , build resilience and stay safe .
Rubies was initially established after research by Plan International concluded that Middlesbrough was the worst place in the country to grow up as a girl . The charity ’ s founders were determined that local girls should hear a more positive message .
They now provide bespoke courses , workshops and confidencebuilding activities that empower girls and promote good mental health and wellbeing . These are delivered in schools as well as in the community .
The Recovery Advocates and Consultants UK ( TRAC UK )
TRAC UK is the first charity of its kind in the North-East as a free , peer-led service providing a gateway for hope and recovery in the community .
Led by founder Annalice Argyle , the organisation empowers vulnerable , addicted women , many of whom suffer not only from substance misuse but also from issues such as prostitution , homelessness , domestic violence , mental health problems and who require social services involvement around children and family relations .
TRAC UK strives to reduce stigma around these issues and educate that addiction does not discriminate , while delivering a message of hope – that women can and do recover .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
Thirteen ’ s Heather Ashton , executive director of business change and improvement , said : “ We were really proud to support the Charity / Voluntary Award because the organisations play such a vital role in our area and share some joint aims with us at Thirteen , by offering support and services to help people live successfully and independently .
“ My Sisters Place was such a worthy winner , supporting women suffering from domestic abuse and helping them take control , raise their aspirations and make a positive difference to their own lives . The charity has been especially critical during the pandemic and has had such an impact through what ’ s been such an amazingly difficult time for people , while never faltering from its longer-term view of taking a stance to stamp out domestic abuse .
“ We ’ d like to salute every entry though . They ’ re all delivering such amazing things that they could all have been shortlisted .”