Published on Tuesday 03 December 2024
The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Community Safety Partnership are setting up drop-off points across the area to collect handbags filled with essential and luxury items for local women who are victims of domestic abuse.
The Love Grace Handbag Appeal was launched by the family of Grace Millane, who was murdered while travelling in New Zealand in 2018 on the eve of her 22nd birthday.
The BCP Community Safety Partnership will be working with the founders of Love Grace and local organisations BCHA (Bournemouth Churches Housing Association) and Dorset Working Women’s Project to collate the handbags, their contents, and distribute them to female survivors of abuse living in safe accommodation in the BCP area.
Councillor Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, said: “As a White Ribbon accredited council that is committed to ending violence against women and girls, we are eager to support the Love Grace handbag campaign which started in Essex, and has been positively impacting the lives of female victims of domestic abuse across the country.
“Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will be the first drop-off points in the south of England, and we are looking forward to the launch date of Friday 6 December, when we will start accepting handbags and toiletries.
“The bags will go to the women who need them in the BCP area. Sometimes if they have to flee or they are in crisis they will not have much and these bags will provide them with the essentials they need. We hope that the handbags and their contents will not only offer direct support to these people but will deliver a boost of confidence and encouragement from other strong, independent women, that they are cared about and truly matter.”
Those wishing to donate a handbag or toiletries can do so at one of the following three drop-off points:
Drop off points – open from Friday 6 December:
- Poole Old Town Family Hub, Poole BH15 1QB, Monday to Thursday 9am to 4:30pm and Friday 9am to 4pm
- Kinson Community Centre, Bournemouth BH10 7LH, Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 3pm
- Christchurch Library, Christchurch BH23 1AW, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm
If you cannot get to a drop off point and wish to support the campaign you can purchase items from the Love Grace Amazon Wish List.
David Sidwick, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said: “No one should live in fear of or experience domestic abuse.
“Working in partnership with the BCP Community Safety Partnership, I am committed to taking robust action against abusers, in changing attitudes and behaviours and supporting victims to ensure that everyone in our communities can live safe, happy, and healthy lives.
“As part of our ongoing campaign, I am pleased to welcome the Love Grace initiative into our area and hope to continue to grow this appeal, support women, and raise awareness of the unacceptable violence against women and girls.”
Hannah O’Callaghan, cousin of Grace Millane, runs the Love Grace appeal and has been supporting the BCP Community Safety Partnership in setting up the initiative across our three towns.
Hannah said: “Our Grace loved a handbag and the appeal for filled bags is a fitting tribute to her and a way to help women that have been affected by domestic abuse.
“The handbags are made up of essentials and some luxuries to remind the women that there are people out there who care about them, and that they do matter.
“Each bag has a scarf attached to the handles and a ‘love Grace’ tag with information about Grace on the reverse.
“Feedback from women receiving bags has been very moving and we hope that they may brighten the day of women living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. We are delighted to be working with the BCP Community Safety Partnership in spreading Graces legacy and supporting victims of domestic abuse in the BCP area.”
Further information:
What size bag to donate:
- New or lightly used handbags sized 30cm and above – big enough to be filled with toiletries
- You do not have to fill the bags. Bags and toiletries will be accepted separately.
Content list:
- Basics: toothpaste, toothbrush, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant
- Extras: wipes, tissues, plasters, soap / hand gel, lip balm, cotton buds, face cloth / sponge, torch, hairbrush / comb
- Luxuries: make-up, perfume, hairbands / clips, gloves, scarf, notebook / pen, sunglasses, jewellery.
Please do not include: sharp items, sanitary products, pain killers, razors, alcohol, money, food, contraceptives, opened / damaged products. To find out why, please read the FAQs here.
Help with domestic abuse: Help with domestic abuse | BCP
Find out more about the campaign and how to get involved: email communitysafetybcp@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or visit the Love Grace website Love Grace - Handbag Appeal