Blackburn Rovers Community Trust gain recognition from local police authority for their efforts in supporting women’s safety
Blackburn Rovers Community Trust (BRCT) have recently been recognised for their efforts to raise awareness for women’s safety in the local area, by local police authorities.
The programme, ‘What About Us?’, is a female only group of 12 women, with ages ranging between 12-19 years old. The purpose of the group is to raise awareness for women’s safety, and explore the experiences and challenges presented to women living in Blackburn with Darwen.
Members of the group regularly attend weekly sessions and work together to share to the wider community their objectives for What About Us. To date, they have created leaflets, distributed questionnaires, and handed out more than 500 panic alarms during Eid in a local park earlier this year.
Feeling the ripples of the project, was Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, Chris Rowley, who was so impressed by the initiative, that he requested to visit Ewood Park to find out more information.
The group then met up with Mr Rowley and delivered a presentation to him and several of his colleagues, demonstrating their passion and enthusiasm in tackling the issues they presented.
Mary and Grace, who both played a key role in setting up What About Us? added:
“This is what we wanted to do and get our message out there. To speak in front of the Chief Constable was an immense honour, and we are so glad the Police came to listen.
“We want all young women and girls to have the same opportunities and feel like they are being heard, and something will happen.
“For so many of us young women, the project has provided us with a platform. Moving forwards from this will now give us so many more opportunities.”
Superintendent, Andrea Barrow, was also in attendance to learn more about What About Us? She said the following:
“I was absolutely blown away with what they’ve done. Their passion for educating people about the issue and how they feel, the project is amazing. For me, as a senior police officer and a woman, I have massive empathy with how they feel. I’ve felt that many times and what they are doing is incredible.
“It’s very clear that they understand the issue and when they talk with so much passion, people listen to them. What they are saying makes people have empathy around the issue and give support.
“As a young woman, probably of a similar age to the girls, I have experienced that feeling of dread and intimidation, when I’ve seen a group of boys come towards me. The Chief Constable and I have really been affected by what we’ve seen and listened to. We want to help get the message out there and we will give this project the support.”
To find out more about Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, see here.
