Bloom Foundation hands funds to under-threat service for vulnerable women

A charitable trust run by Brighton and Hove Albion's chairman has handed a £40,000 grant to a substance misuse service for women and families in Brighton.
Tony BloomTony Bloom
Tony Bloom

The cash for the Brighton Oasis Project (BOP) will fund a qualified therapist two days a week, delivering intensive therapy to at least 20 young women aged 18 to 25.

The Young Women’s Therapy Project provides a specialised therapy service to young women who have experienced significant problems in their early lives and are struggling with their mental health now as a result.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It was set to close as the funding was due to come to an end mid-October, but the cash from the Bloom Foundation, headed up by Albion chairman Tony Bloom, means the service can continue to run for two years.

Jo-Anne Welsh , BOP’s director, said: “We are extremely pleased to have been awarded funding from the Bloom Foundation to continue and expand our therapy provision for young women. The young women we’re seeing have had a very difficult start in life. Many of them are care leavers who experienced early neglect and abuse. Some experience self-harm and have thoughts of suicide.

"Mental health is more important than ever and we see first-hand the links between poor mental health and substance misuse. Yet for our clients, finding accessible provision to address their mental health and wellbeing can be challenging. What is required is a specialist approach, which BOP is well-placed to deliver, with our wealth of experience working with women in a focused, trauma-informed way.”

Tony Bloom, said: “The Bloom Foundation is pleased to support BOP as a key service organisation in Brighton delivering an evidence-based approach to support positive behavioural change and growth in women affected by substance misuse. This project fits with the foundation’s guiding mission, which includes strengthening the local Brighton community as well as mainstreaming a preventative approach to health, including mental health.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Brighton Oasis Project (BOP) is a substance misuse service for women and families in Brighton, which has been running for 20 years.

It provides women-only groups and support for those experiencing issues with drugs or alcohol.

Alongside this, Young Oasis offers one-to-one therapy to children and young people who have been affected by substance misuse in the family.

Last year, BOP directly supported over 500 women and 250 children and young people.