Survivors’ charity wins national award

AN Emersons Green-based charity for survivors of domestic abuse has won a national award.

OPOKA was founded 12 years ago as a pilot scheme to support Polish women and their children escaping from abusive relationships.

It became a registered charity three years ago and provides free and confidential advice and support to victims of physical or sexual violence, emotional abuse, coercive control, stalking or misogynistic behaviour within relationships.

OPOKA was announced as the winner in the Community Organisation: Gender category at this year’s National Diversity Awards at a ceremony in Liverpool in October.

Founder and chief executive Aneta Mackell said: “We are absolutely thrilled that OPOKA has won a National Diversity Award.

“OPOKA was chosen from a field of eight incredible organisations working to improve gender equality – we’re so proud to be among them.”

The charity offers bilingual helplines, practical support, outreach, mental health and well-being programmes, group support, counselling and therapy.

The charity has nine places in two ‘safe houses’ to offer sanctuary to Polish mothers and children seeking refuge from violence.

It has six staff and 16 volunteers, including five trustees, and is based in Brook Office Park.

Aneta said: “In 2023 alone, OPOKA handled 11,019 Helpline calls and supported 254 women, achieving health improvements, safety and financial stability.

“This award is a testament to the amazing efforts of our entire team, who work tirelessly to keep people safe from abuse and violence.”

Aneta dedicated the award to the people OPOKA supports and its staff, volunteers, champions, trustees and donors, along with parent organisation Chrysalis Supported Association.

She said: “Without all of them, we wouldn’t be able to do our vital, often life-saving work.

“We really hope this award helps to shine a light on domestic abuse within the Polish community in the UK and encourages people to support charities like ours, so that we can continue to be there for anyone subjected to abuse.”

Each year OPOKA needs to raise £100,000 through donations to help support its work.

National Diversity Awards founder Paul Sesay said OPOKA was “hugely deserving” of the award, and offered “a beacon of hope” to those in need of its support.

He said: “Polish families are one of the largest minority groups in the country, contributing significantly to the British economy and cultural and diversity of our society.

“OPOKA understands the importance of welcoming and embracing this diversity to create a more inclusive and harmonious community.

“We wish them continued success in their work and hope winning a National Diversity Award will accelerate their impact and change even more lives for the better.”