First Light is a centre for women and children who find themselves in difficult life situations and require housing and other forms of support. It is a non-profit organisation funded through volunteer efforts and charitable donations. Interestingly, the centre’s work is supported not only by residents of Birmingham but also by people from other parts of England and even other countries. When was First Light established? What projects does the centre run today? Read more on birminghamka.
The History of First Light
The First Light centre first opened its doors to women in need of shelter in 1983. At the time, it was located in a church basement and could accommodate only 15 people. However, the demand was much greater, and more women and children had to be accommodated whenever possible. This made it clear to the volunteers running the centre that their idea was essential and that First Light needed to expand.
In 1998, First Light became an officially registered non-profit organisation in Birmingham. Volunteers actively searched for a new location to move the centre out of the basement. Nearby, they found the old Granada Hotel, which had suffered damage from a fire and required major renovations. With the support of volunteers, the church managed to purchase the building with the aim of restoring and repurposing it as a shelter. Construction work began immediately.
At the time, there were relatively few such facilities in Birmingham. The volunteers running First Light sought support from religious communities, government agencies, and private donors, including several wealthy women from Birmingham. The renovated hotel was designed to provide a comfortable environment for women and children, featuring well-furnished rooms, communal areas, and offices for social workers.
The Mission and Projects of the Centre
The centre’s mission is to support women and children in difficult life situations, particularly those without housing. First Light offers comprehensive assistance, including temporary shelter, psychological support, and access to social workers, medical staff, and legal aid.
First Light runs three key projects:
- 24-Hour Shelter. Women and children can come to the centre at any time. Volunteers and social workers immediately begin assisting them in resolving their challenges. The project’s goal is to help women regain stability and confidence in society.
- Permanent Housing. One floor of the centre is designated for women with severe mental health conditions who are unable to live independently and have no close relatives to care for them.
- “Healthy Minds” Project. Many women at First Light need mental health support. To help them rebuild their confidence, discover new interests, work through past traumas, and regain a desire to live, volunteers created the Healthy Minds project. Each woman staying at the centre meets with a social worker to develop a personalised plan of action. They may receive referrals to clinics, mental health facilities, or be introduced to government programmes such as affordable housing schemes.
Specialists at First Light also organise activities for residents, including art therapy, cinema therapy, and workshops on life skills. Women who stay at the centre feel supported, cared for, and valued. Those who have suffered domestic violence or other traumatic experiences receive professional help to move forward with their lives.