There are many ways that Anawim supports you to move forward with your life in the community as you approach the final stages of your journey with us.
This includes offering valuable opportunities to complete courses, gain new skills or take part in peer support, volunteering or work experience to help you to realise your potential.
Our aim is to work with you towards your goals. Whether that is to become more financially independent, in control of making informed, positive decisions, or simply to progress towards reaching your hopes and ambitions.
Support throughout your journey
We support you every step of the way whether the ultimate aim is to reach your final counselling session, to reintegrate back into the community, or anything else.
We are here to give you opportunities and equip you with skills to move forward with your life. That can be simply realising your own strengths to gaining skills that will make you attractive to a potential employer.
Access to free courses and skills support
There are many pathways to accessing support here at Anawim. One is through our welcoming and safe-space where you can access free drop-in courses and activities. These range from creative, mindful activities and crafts to a mental heath support and a other drop-ins to enable you to gain skills and confidence beyond your initial need of our service.
For an up to date list of events and activities click here.
We can also support you to develop your skills and experience to become an Anawim Champion – read further to find out more.
Volunteering
Some of the women supported by Anawim later give something back by volunteering with us. Volunteering not only allows you to try out certain jobs but also equips you with useful workplace skills and experience to add to your CV.
Some women opt to take on additional responsibilities – such as cleaning or working with other women in our centre – as part of our Women’s Development Initiative. This can prepare you for a future job by providing hands-on experience and the chance to learn business skills. We also have opportunities to gain qualifications.
On top of that, volunteering has its own rewards. That could be making you feel more positive, knowing you are an essential part of a team or being more confident about yourself and your abilities. You can find out more about volunteering at Anawim here.
Becoming a Champion
Anawim’s Champions are women who we once supported and are now supporting other women with us. They do everything from helping to when we are out and about to getting involved in projects on the early intervention and criminal justice teams. Champions can gain skills and confidence that help them with their long-term prospects.
Many women working with us choose to share their stories and experiences at events, with the media or with other local organisations. We know hearing about lived experience is crucial for changes to be made in the women’s sector. Sometimes it’s to help others understand how difficult it is to overcome so many challenges, sometimes it is to support Anawim’s mission to reach more women, and occasionally it’s to influence key people in local authority and government, to help bring about real change for women in Birmingham.
We fully support every single one of our women who choose to share their personal journeys in a way that feels comfortable and safe.
“I do one-to-one sessions and refer women to courses at the centre such as for English, which can improve their confidence and educational qualifications which will open doors to job opportunities,” explains an Anawim co-ordinator.
“But I also support women to develop by becoming a Champion. I am currently supporting eight champions at our shop. Becoming a Champion gives women with an offending history an opportunity to develop their skills, confidence and experience to re-enter into education and the workforce.”