Student’s charity receives almost £30,000 from Children in Need

Sian McGuinness, who studies at the University of Wolverhampton, recently won the 2014 Contribution to the Community Award at the Signal Radio Pride in the Community Awards for her work with the charity Voices of Experiences.

The charity has received a grant of £28,884 from Children in Need, and Sian has talked about her experiences in a film which was screened in the run-up to today's (Fri 14 Nov) annual fundraiser.

Sian launched Voices of Experience with two other domestic violence survivors, and the charity supports other women and children emerging from violent relationships.

The 46-year-old Sociology student says: “I feel proud and honoured to have received the Signal Radio award. It is recognition of what the organisation has achieved, as well as the very long and difficult journey towards recovery that I've been on. I feel really strongly that the award is a demonstration of what it is possible for ordinary people to achieve given the right kind of support network, which is what our organisation is really all about.

“The funding from Children in Need has enabled us to run a brilliant project called 'Making Memories, Fun With Mum'. We've done day trips, parties, workshops and creative activities with mums and their children to help establish new beginnings following the trauma of Domestic Violence.” 

Voices of Experience is a registered charity based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. It consists of a group of women and children who have experienced, survived and escaped Domestic Violence.
 
The aim of the charity is to offer help, support and friendship to women and children in Stoke-on-Trent who are trying to recover from damaging, abusive or violent relationships.

For more information, visit: http://www.voe.org.uk/

ENDS

For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736.