Wolverhampton charity The Haven's digital tool nominated for national award
A digital tool created by Wolverhampton-based charity The Haven has been shortlisted for a national award.
You Matter, created by The Haven with Comic Relief support and funding, has been shortlisted for DigitalAgenda's 2020 Impact Awards.
You Matter was created in collaboration tech-for-good focussed digital agency Neontribe, alongside women who have been victims of domestic abuse. The tool, which enables women to read real-life stories of domestic abuse and access support, has been shortlisted in the social transformation category.
In 2016, Comic Relief’s Tech vs. Abuse research revealed that digital tools have the power to make a compelling difference in the lives of women experiencing abuse. Subsequently, The Haven’s own research, conducted through workshops, revealed that the biggest area of need was to first help women “recognise it’s abuse” and overcome the fear of stigma associated with accessing support. The research also revealed that some women found direct personal questions off-putting.
With that in mind, You Matter was created to be a digital safe space with no pressure, using other women’s stories. The portal enables women to process the stories at a pace that suits them, and they can make contact when they are ready.
Need help?
The Haven - havenrefuge.org.uk - 08000 194 400
You Matter - youmatterhaven.org.uk
Pamilerin Beckley, architect of stories at the Haven, said: "When You Matter was launched, we hoped that at least one woman would make contact from visiting the website. We have since received self-referrals through our helpline from women who, after viewing the website, decided that they needed our help and support.
"We believe that this alone is indicative of the positive impact that You Matter has.
"We are elated to have made the shortlist. Hopefully, this exposure will help us reach a wider audience and will encourage more women to seek help before they reach crisis point and they become high risk.”
Voting is now open, and the charity is urging residents in Wolverhampton to back them before voting closes on Friday, February 28.
To vote for the Haven's You Matter, visit impact-awards.co.uk/finalists and click 'vote'.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Thursday, March 5, at the Oval Space, in London.
