Anawim celebrates 40 years of supporting Birmingham women with a party hosted by Mrs Barbara Nice

Anawim, the Birmingham charity that has supported vulnerable women for four decades, is marking its 40th anniversary with a fundraising night of music, dancing, food and fun at the Irish Centre in Kings Heath. The celebration will be hosted by the Birmingham comedy favourite Mrs Barbara Nice, and tickets are selling fast, the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce reports.

The highlight of the evening's raffle is a bespoke two-piece suit and shirt worth £2,000 from Clements and Church.

Started by two nuns in Balsall Heath

Anawim was founded in 1986 by two pioneering nuns, Sister Magdalene Matthews and Sister Maisie Nevin. They opened their home in Balsall Heath as a drop-in centre for women in the local community who were involved in sex work and vulnerable to exploitation.

The sisters were struck by how much difference it made for women to have a safe space, a warm drink and a listening ear: somewhere without judgement, where they could meet other women who cared about their wellbeing. That simple idea has grown into one of the city's best-known women's charities.

2,000 women a year

Today more than 2,000 women use Anawim's services every year. The charity offers holistic care that is designed around women's needs and the trauma many have experienced, and it is open to any woman who comes through its doors.

Its work reaches beyond its own buildings, too. The charity says its campaigning has influenced government policy, and the information it gathers is used in research.

"A real chance to pay tribute"

Holly Rackham, Anawim's corporate partnerships and philanthropy officer, said: "We're so excited to announce this event. It's a real chance to pay tribute to the work of the last 40 years, and to raise much needed funds for whatever comes next."

Special deals are available for tables of ten, and the charity is also inviting businesses and organisations to sponsor the night. Anyone interested can contact Holly Rackham at Anawim for details.

Why it matters

Charities like Anawim often work with women whom other services find hard to reach, including those affected by exploitation, domestic abuse, addiction, homelessness and the criminal justice system. Many arrive having been let down before, and a place that offers patience, practical help and a warm welcome can be the start of real change.

Forty years is a long time for any small charity to keep going, and it reflects both the need for its work and the loyalty of the people who support it. Like many voluntary organisations, Anawim relies on fundraising, grants and donations, and events like this help to keep its doors open.

The anniversary is also a chance to remember the two sisters whose kindness in opening their own home started it all. Their idea, that women deserve somewhere safe to go and someone to listen, is as relevant in 2026 as it was in 1986.

Tickets for the celebration are on sale now through the charity.