Smallwood’s COVID-19 grants in action: Sandwell African Women Association (SAWA)

Sandwell African Women Association (SAWA) is a registered charity in England and Wales that provides community support services to the most vulnerable women and girls from the most deprived wards of Sandwell in The Black Country (West Midlands region).

COVID-19 has negatively impacted SAWA both financially and operationally. Financially, they lost all their sources of income as much of their revenues came through donations from charitable trusts and foundations who were not keen on funding regular activities due to the pandemic. Operationally, they were unable to operate from their premises where all their working assets are stored.

Smallwood’s COVID-19 Frontline Women’s Fund in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund helped SAWA to tackle suffering and isolation among disadvantaged young mothers by providing community emergency support services to 54 young women during this period of crisis.

In addition, Smallwood’s funding has helped the organisation to become financially resilient and adapt its support services to respond to evolving needs. They have been able to provide bespoke community support services to young mothers with a range of social activities including peer mentoring, emotional support, provision of welfare advice and information, guidance, advocacy, general support and friendship to reduce the level of depression and anxiety exasperated by the pandemic.

SAWA chairperson Mamy Makanzu Zozo said, “I would like to thank the Smallwood Trust as their financial support during the pandemic has been vital in helping us reach young mothers who are less fortunate and more vulnerable during this awful crisis.”

For more information on Sandwell African Women Association visit: https://www.sawa.org.uk