Working Together for Change

By Antoinette Wood

Head of Partnerships and Development

System leadership and sector influence 

This quarter has seen several significant partnerships focused on improving how systems understand and respond to girls and young women affected by criminal exploitation and violence.

In West Sussex, more than 70 professionals joined the launch of a year-long workforce development programme with West Sussex Youth Justice Service, bringing together colleagues from youth justice, policing, education, safeguarding, magistrates and wider partnership services. The programme reflects a shared ambition to strengthen practice, build common language and develop a more joined-up response to girls and young women across the county.

Alongside this, Abianda has been selected as a key partner in two MOPAC-commissioned projects. One led by Research in Practice with the University of Lancashire, exploring how risk and needs frameworks respond to girls and young women affected by violence, exploitation and so-called gangs. The project brings together research, lived experience and professional expertise to influence future practice, policy and decision-making.

The second sees us working alongside Social Finance and Agenda Alliance through the Girls and Young Women Local Groups Fund, a London-wide initiative supporting community organisations and building the evidence base around what works for girls and young women affected by violence and exploitation.

Together, these partnerships reflect growing recognition of the need for gender-informed approaches and the value of Abianda's expertise in helping systems better understand and respond to the experiences of girls and young women.

Investing in participation and systems change

Meaningful systems change requires long-term investment, trust and a commitment to amplifying the voices of those most affected by the issues we are seeking to address.

This quarter, we were delighted to receive funding through Rosa's Voice from the Frontline programme to support systems change and campaigning activity led by Abianda's Systems Change Expert team. The investment will enable young women with lived experience to strengthen their leadership, influence sector conversations and help shape future responses to criminal exploitation and violence.

We are also incredibly grateful to AB Charitable Trust for awarding Abianda a three-year grant in support of our work. As a funder known for championing human dignity, justice and the rights of marginalised communities, their investment represents an important vote of confidence in Abianda's approach and long-term vision.

Together, these partnerships enable us not only to respond to the realities facing girls and young women today, but also to influence the systems, policies and practices that shape their futures.

In the network

Partnerships take many forms, and we are incredibly grateful to the organisations choosing to champion, support and amplify Abianda's work.

This quarter, Abianda will be speaking alongside partners including Power The Fight, Catch22 and Missing People at NWG's upcoming Empower & Exit webinar, contributing to national conversations about how professionals can better support children and young people to safely disengage from exploitation and violence.

We are also delighted that Women in eDiscovery – London Chapter has selected Abianda as its charity partner for its summer fundraising event. As a network committed to supporting women's leadership, professional development and collaboration, we are honoured to have been chosen and look forward to working together over the coming months.

A special thank you also goes to iQlink, who continue to provide pro bono support to help strengthen Abianda's CRM systems and partnership infrastructure. Access to this kind of expertise is invaluable for charities, and their generosity is helping us build stronger foundations for future growth, sustainability and impact.

We remain thankful to all of our funders who are committed to supporting our work and ensuring girls and young women remain a priority.