College thanks the Barnsley community for its donations

Our Learning for Living and Work department have helped to support the Independent Domestic Abuse (IDAS) charity by collecting handbag donations for victims of abuse and domestic violence.

IDAS representatives who received the donations, said: “IDAS have received a lot of great support over the years from Barnsley college staff and students.

“The donations we receive go a long way to make the clients we work with, both in refuge and our community team, feel valued, and for clients who may come to us with nothing the handbags we give them as part of the Love Grace appeal are full of amazing treats they can enjoy.

“A lot of our clients are really interested in the message behind the donation so it give’s staff an opportunity to talk about the work Love Grace do and why”.

The donation is part of the 2024 Love Grace appeal. Love Grace is a charity run by Hannah O’Callaghan OBE and her aunt, Gillian Millane OBE. in memory of Grace Millane, who was murdered on the eve of her 22nd birthday. The initiative has the mission ‘to empower victims of domestic abuse’. The Appeal is run in the UK, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Singapore.

Items that can be donated include handbags, purses, scarves, costume jewellery and toiletries.

Items that are not allowed to be included are sharp items, sanitary products pain killers, razors, alcohol, money, food, contraceptives, or any opened or damaged products.

Nicola Thomson-Dewey, Head of Learning for Living and Work at the College, co-ordinated the donations appeal. Nicola added: “An act of kindness goes a long way and we hope the bags and the essentials donated can help the women in need. We are proud that we can partner with Love Grace and offer support to this great cause. We encourage anyone to get involved by donating what they can.

“We are grateful for all the donations we have received. We would like to thank the Barnsley and wider community as well for bringing in bags, essentials, toiletries and more for these ladies.

“We also want to thank the ‘Thinking of You’ local gift shop in Denby Dale who donated a large number of bags for IDAS.”

For further information about the Love Grace Handbag appeal and Barnsley College’s support, please contact Nicola Thomson-Dewey by calling 01226 216 216.