Part of the Prison Early Release Scheme (ERS) many victims/survivors will choose to seek help from local specialist organisations they already know and trust. The Community Services Support Fund (CSSF), facilitated by Womens Aid, is to help specialist VAWG organisations meet additional demand arising from the ERS.
Grants will be available of £400 for every eligible organisation that is supporting an eligible victim/survivor. There is no limit to the number of eligible victims/survivors an organisation can claim for, the £400 is per victim/survivor supported.
Eligibility Criteria:
The fund is available to community-based specialist VAWG organisations in the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across England and Wales, including VCSE organisations that provide a dedicated specialist VAWG service. Generic services without dedicated specialist VAWG provision are not eligible for the fund.
Who is eligible for support:
A victim/survivor is eligible for support through this response package if all tree of the following apply:
- They have experienced violence against women and girls (VAWG). This can include women, men, children and young people who have experienced VAWG.
- They are affected by the release of an offender whose custodial release date has been brought forward under the Progression Model.
- They feel, or anticipate, an impact on their safety, emotional wellbeing or day-to-day stability as a result.
The Community Services Support Fund opened for applications on Thursday 22nd October at 10am. Thereafter, it will open on the third Tuesday of each month at 10am with the exception of December which will be brought forward to the second Thursday.
The £400 grant is a contribution towards the cost of providing specialist support to adult and child victim/survivors.
This can include:
- Needs assessments
- Safety planning
- Emotional support
- Targeted advocacy
- Safeguarding
For more information or to apply please visit Community Services Support Fund – Women’s Aid


