CoSS Wellbeing Fabulous Forty Fundraiser

We have raised a fantastic £2172 for Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid! A huge congratulations and thanks to all those who participates, sponsored or donated.

As part of our Wellbeing strategy, and commitment to our civic mission, the College of Social Sciences has partnered with Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid (BSWAID) in celebration of their 40 year anniversary. We know domestic violence affects many men and women from all backgrounds and as a College we are committed to understanding the causes and supporting those in need as a result of domestic violence.

Your sponsorships have helped women escape potentially dangerous situations.

Here's what your money could buy:

£5 can pay for a travel pass for a vulnerable woman to attend her appointments safely.
£10 can pay for a taxi to get a woman to her new property or into refuge which can often be a considerable distance away from her.
£20 can pay for an emergency toiletries kit for a woman and her family arriving at refuge with nothing.
£25 can pay for interpreting for a woman who isn’t confident speaking English.
£40 can pay for an emergency food pack for a woman arriving at temporary accommodation – packs contain food that are suitable for use in bed and breakfasts where often the only way of heating food is with a kettle.

Anna Fawcett, Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid

Choosing to support Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid on their fundraising challenge during the COVID lockdown sent a strong message to the partners of the College of Social Sciences that the University of Birmingham takes domestic violence very seriously.

The teams have worked incredibly hard on their 40km challenge, and their efforts have raised the fantastic sum of over £2000, valuable funds for which we’re incredibly grateful. Donations will go directly towards supporting our projects in the local area such as a dedicated 7 day a week helpline, community-based support staff and emergency refuge accommodation – all of which provide lifelines to women and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse.

Richard Black, Head of the College of Social Sciences

We have supported tackling domestic violence and the issues around it in the College of Social Sciences through our research and teaching, as part of our civic university commitment for many years.

I’m delighted to see how this has been developed as part of our College Wellbeing strategy, with this fundraising and awareness raising initiative. It’s great to see colleagues coming together and taking on a challenge, maintaining their own health and wellbeing and supporting such an important cause at such a challenging time.

Well done to everyone who took part and supported.

Research on Domestic Violence in CoSS

Siddhartha Bandyopadhyay, Professor of Economics

"Domestic violence (DV) is a serious worldwide problem. The Crime Survey in England and Wales (2019) showed an estimated 2.4 million adults experienced DV in the last 12 months though it remains grossly under-reported. The impact of DV is enormous and goes beyond the immediate harm caused.

I have been involved with a brilliant cross disciplinary team of researchers looking at the often hidden health impact of DV. Our research shows that victims of domestic violence are nearly three times more likely to suffer from mental ill health during their lifetime, and have above-average rates of diabetes, heart disease and death. Victims are also twice as likely to develop chronic conditions, including fatigue. I have also led an evaluation of an intervention funded by a local Council aimed at perpetrators of such violence which has shown promising results, showing that such interventions reduce DV incidents as measured by police call outs. The current lockdown and its aftermath has exacerbated the problem and needs an urgent public health approach as we have outlined in a recent commentary we wrote.

This has brought home to me the enormous suffering that such violence causes and the stellar role that victim support organisations play in improving the lives of victims. Thus, it is enormously satisfying that the College of Social Sciences is fund raising for Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid."

Testimonials

We have had some lovely comments from those who have donated, here's just a few:

Sophie's story

Sophie Sinclair, Engagement and Operations Manager, Lloyds Banking Group Centre for Responsible Business

The issue of domestic violence relates to women from all back grounds. For me, it is an issue that we don't talk about openly enough, either as employers or just as people. It's something that I have experienced in my life, and I know many of you will have too.

My daughter, Gabriela and I will be cycling 40km next week to raise funds for Birmingham & Solihull Women's Aid, a great charity celebrating 40 years of supporting victims of domestic violence. Alongside colleagues from the College of Social Sciences (who also do great research and teaching in this area) we've set an ambitious target, so please help us to make a real change for women and children in need.

Every woman affected by domestic violence needs to know there's light at the end of the tunnel and be able to access support and guidance to help them at their time of need.

I haven't cycled for thirty years at least - it's going to be a challenge! Anything you can give will make a difference to those in need, and keep us pedalling hard!

Wade's story

Wade Taylor, College Hub Manager and PA to PVC and Head of College

I have thoroughly enjoyed completing this challenge. It has given me a new lease of energy and an enthusiasm to get outdoors, reconnect with nature and get myself fit.

If you are anything like me, you are dreading putting on your work clothes, as we gradually return to campus, through the worry of them no longer fitting.

By fundraising, I know I am not only helping a worthy cause but also am doing something for me. It gives me time and space to divide my working day and my evening, to mentally shutdown and enjoy some of the wonderful walks we have around the midlands and beyond.

My walks have taken me to Uppermill, Buxton, Bakewell and Cannock to name a few, but it has been equally enjoyable exploring areas local to me such as Sandwell Valley, Sutton Park and Clent Hills.

I would highly recommend getting involved and Get Fit - Raise Money - Support BSWA

Dean's Office story

Dean's Office Team, Birmingham Business School

Cathy, Eva, Kate and I are almost half way through a week of activity to support Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid. We decided to work together as a team to support this vital charity and have committed to the theme of ‘40’ by undertaking 40 minutes of exercise each day. We are all at different fitness levels and so we have enjoyed undertaking activities that have challenged us individually.

Weather wise, we may not have chosen the best week to get outdoors. We have walked, ran and swam through some pretty blustery conditions, but it hasn’t dampened our enthusiasm at all.

We have set up a WhatsApp group to keep in contact with each other and have shared pictures of our successes.

Cathy has been jogging at Porter Valley Park and on Tuesday morning she swam around a large lake - twice! Kate has been using an on line personal trainer on Instagram and has also visited Winterbourne Gardens for a brisk 40 minute walk. Eva has joined a spin class and has even exceeded the planned 40 minute daily spin. She has already received a notification from Bannatyne’s Health Club that she has achieved the recommended amount of physical activity for the week. Which means that everything from now on is a bonus. I’ve been jogging for 40 minutes each day, which is the longest I’ve ever run and although it wasn’t exactly a sprint, I’m proud .

It has been lovely to see the donations that are coming in and to see all the support that everyone has been giving. Hopefully we will keep the activity up once our week is over and, as the return to campus approaches, the Dean’s Office team may be a little fitter.

Helen Betts-Patel
On behalf of the Dean’s Office Team.

City REDI team's story

City REDI, Birmingham Business School

The work done by Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid supporting women and children affected by domestic violence and providing a safe refuge is of the utmost importance, especially at the present time when the need for support for women and children at risk of violence in the home is so high.

As a team, in City REDI, we will complete the ‘40km challenge’ from 21st to 27th August, to support Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid in celebration of their 40th anniversary. Each of us has promised to complete their own challenge either running or walking 5km plus.

UPDATE: Challenge Completed!

A big THANK YOU from Magda, Tasos, Chloe, Andre, Ben, Stuart and Juliane from City-REDI and WM REDI to all who sponsored us for the 40km challenge in aid of Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid. We can proudly confirm that we have jointly achieved the goal of running or walking 40km. With your generous support we helped the CoSS Wellbeing team to more than double the original target.

We all faced our own individual challenge and did our personal best and/or more than we ever thought we could do.