Briggs Equipment Supports Staffordshire Women’s Aid

A Cannock-based company is helping to fund a vital new facility to support victims of domestic and sexual violence throughout Staffordshire.

Materials handling specialist Briggs Equipment, which operates its national business from headquarters in Orbital Way, has donated £9,000 towards a new refuge for Staffordshire Women’s Aid.

The award-winning charity, established in 1976, aims to empower victims so that they can make changes to their lives and plan for a safer, healthier and independent future.

Scheduled to open later this month, the new refuge in Stafford comprises 12 one, two and three-bedroom flats and will provide support to women who are fleeing domestic and sexual violence. The facility also incorporates dedicated play areas for children and a teenager’s room. The donation from Briggs Equipment will enable Staffordshire Women’s Aid to furnish two of the flats.

Briggs Equipment’s Strategic Development Director Gary Clements, seen here presenting the cheque, said, “It is our company ethos to support local charities and we understand the importance of this donation to Staffordshire Women’s Aid, along with the difference it will make to all those in need of support.

“The commitment and dedication shown by the charity’s staff and volunteers is fantastic and we are delighted to contribute towards the funding of the new refuge, which is such a vital part of the charity’s services.”

Dickie James, CEO of Staffordshire Women’s Aid (pictured), said: “We are delighted with this generous donation from Briggs. It will make such a difference for those vulnerable women and children staying in the new refuge.  It’s fantastic to see an organisation like Briggs show such care to the local community through charity support. It will mean a great deal to the women and children we exist to support.”

Staffordshire Women’s Aid’s services are accessed via a 24-hour helpline, 0870 2700 123,​ which operates 365 days a year and accepts both agency and self-referrals.

The charity works in partnership with many agencies to develop innovative services and contributes to research on domestic violence at the local, national and international level. It is committed to changing attitudes in local communities and so delivers a range of multi-agency training, awareness-raising and preventative educational programmes.