All of us at Birmingham’s Centre for Women – Anawim – are pleased to announce a Fabulous Party to celebrate our 40th anniversary. It’s the first time we’ve hosted an event this big – and we cannot wait to celebrate!
We’ll be welcoming guests to the Irish Centre in Kings Heath in November, for a night of music, dancing, food and fun.
The FABULOUS 40th will be hosted by local legend, and celebrity housewife, Mrs Barbara Nice, and we cannot wait to see what she has up her sleeve. Barbara is a big fan of a raffle, so we have gone out of our way to make sure ours is as big as possible, with a top prize of bespoke two-piece suit and shirt (worth £2,000) from Clements and Church.
We have also secured a top TV comedian to perform for us, and one of Birmingham’s best DJs to keep the dancefloor going. There will also delicious food and drinks provided for all guests.
Anawim has been working with women in Birmingham for the last 40 years, and we think those four decades deserve a celebration!
Tickets go on sale today (Friday 14th August) at 1pm with the first 40 priced at just £40! There are also sponsorship opportunities for businesses and organisations, providing a way for you to support a local charity to maximise fundraising, while advertising your services, and getting to enjoy a fabulous night out. There’s plenty more information here.
Holly Rackham, Anawim’s Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy Officer says “We’re so excited to announce this event. It’s a real chance to pay tribute to the work of the last 40 years, and to raise much needed funds for whatever comes next.”
Anawim was founded in 1986 by two pioneering nuns, Sister Magdalene Matthews and Sister Maisie Nevin. They decided to open their Balsall Heath home as a drop-in centre to women in the local community who were involved in sex work and vulnerable to exploitation.
The Sisters were struck by the difference it made for women to have a safe space, a warm drink and a listening ear. Somewhere without judgement, to meet other women who cared deeply about their wellbeing.
Over the years Anawim has grown – and continues to do so – and now has around 70 staff. More than 2,000 women access our services every year. We offer holistic gender and trauma responsive care to any woman who comes through our doors.
The benefit of this work is far-reaching. Our campaigning can influence government policy, our data is used in research papers, and every woman we work with is connected to others who could be affected by her. For example, each woman diverted from prison could mean a family staying together.