The Angelou Centre

What The Angelou Centre does

The Angelou Centre is a not-for-profit limited company and registered charity (Company No. 2855091, Charity No. 1044344) established in the early 1990s in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, by a group of community workers and activists including Umme Imam, Fazeelat Faghar, Ruth Charlton, Iram Shah, and others. It provides refuge, advocacy, therapeutic support, and skills training for Black and minoritised women and children in the North East of England, operating on a by-and-for model where staff come from the communities served and collectively speak 14 languages. Its core service portfolio consists of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) advocacy with qualified IDVAs/ISVAs, safe accommodation across approximately 16 refuge beds in multiple havens, specialist children and young people's services, counseling and therapy (individual and group, including art and play therapy), NOCN-accredited training and wellbeing courses, and dedicated support for women with no recourse to public funds (NRPF). The organisation also runs the Stories of Colour initiative (launched in response to the 2024 far-right riots) combining creative healing, research, and policy advocacy.

The organisation's revenue model is grant-and-donation-dependent with no fees charged to service users. Income streams include grants from trusts, foundations, and government bodies (Police and Crime Commissioner, Comic Relief, Ministry of Justice, Domestic Abuse Commissioner), individual donations (one-time and regular), and fee-for-service training delivered to partner organisations and agencies on NRPF, recognising violence and abuse, and supporting referrals. Its go-to-market is community-led: referrals come from local authorities, police, social services, and partner organisations, supplemented by outreach training for agencies. The organisation employs 1-10 staff and operates from 17 Brighton Grove, Fenham, Newcastle, NE4 5NS. Key outcomes reported include less than 5% of women returning to abusive families and 95% of women formerly in refuge housing going on to live independently, validated by an Imkaan evaluation in 2024.

The Angelou Centre is positioned as one of only two refuges in the North East for Black and minoritised communities and one of very few UK organisations providing dedicated refuge services for women with NRPF. It has contributed evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on Public Services, published the 'Hinterland of Marginality' report for the Domestic Abuse Commissioner (2021), co-developed the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Multi-Agency NRPF Guidance and Toolkit, and won the 2026 Royal Television Society North East and The Borders Broadcast Short Form Award for its Stories of Colour documentary. There is no technology platform, no AI/ML capabilities, and no app product; the organisation's competitive position rests on community trust, cultural competence, specialist multilingual staff, and institutional policy influence.

Name

The Angelou Centre

Legal name

The Angelou Centre

Website

https://angelou-centre.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Angelou Centre is a Newcastle-based registered charity that provides refuge, advocacy, counseling, therapeutic support, and skills training for Black and minoritised women and children in the North East of England, including specialist services for women with no recourse to public funds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Refuge and Domestic Violence Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH), Child Rights & Protection (BPADAGAG)

Keywords

• Women's refuge services
• Domestic violence support
• VAWG advocacy
• Culturally competent care
• Community charity services

Headquarters

HQ city

Fenham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from the public, both one-time and regular monthly contributions, to support operational costs.
2. Grant funding: Funding from trusts, foundations, and government bodies including the Police and Crime Commissioner, Comic Relief, and Ministry of Justice grants for VAWG services and refuge accommodation.
3. Training services: Fee-for-service training provided to partner organisations and agencies on NRPF, recognising signs of violence and abuse, and supporting referrals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Angelou Centre provides refuge accommodation, violence against women and girls (VAWG) advocacy, counseling and therapy, children and young people's support, skills training, and specialist no recourse to public funds (NRPF) services for Black and minoritised women and children in the North East of England. Services are delivered free of charge to service users through a holistic wrap-around model combining safe housing, advocacy, therapeutic support, and accredited training. The organisation also delivers paid training to external agencies and partners on culturally competent responses to violence and abuse.

Product overview

The Angelou Centre offers a holistic, wrap-around model of support for Black and minoritised women and children in the North East of England. The core service portfolio consists of: Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) advocacy services with qualified IDVAs/ISVAs; Safe Accommodation (Havens/Refuges) providing emergency housing with wrap-around support; Children and Young People Services offering specialist therapeutic support; Training and Wellbeing including NOCN-accredited courses, counseling, and group activities; Counseling and Therapy (individual and group); and No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Support for women excluded from state benefits. These services work together as an integrated support model—women in refuge access all services including advocacy, counseling, training, and children's support. Additionally, the Stories of Colour initiative combines creative healing, anti-racist learning, and research/advocacy focused on the impact of the 2024 far-right riots on minoritised communities. The organisation operates training for external agencies and partners, expanding its reach beyond direct service delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stories of Colour: A project developed in response to the racist, anti-migrant, anti-Muslim and anti-minorities riots in summer 2024. Rooted in the lived experiences of Black, minoritised and migrant women, children and young people, it combines research, healing and creative expression with advocacy and policy change.

Products and services

• Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Services Trained VAWG experts who are qualified IDVAs (Independent Domestic Violence Advisors) and ISVAs (Independent Sexual Violence Advisors) act as advocates for survivors of forced marriage, honour-based abuse, FGM, domestic slavery, and other forms of violence. They provide support, explain rights, and work with other agencies to ensure women's voices are heard and respected. Targeted at Black and minoritised women in the North East of England.
• Safe Accommodation (Havens/Refuges) Safe and comfortable refuge accommodation for women, babies and children with private bedrooms and shared living spaces, offering wrap-around support including training, wellbeing services, advocacy, and children's support. One of only two refuges in the North East for Black and minoritised communities; average stay 6 months to 2 years. Targeted at women and children fleeing abuse.
• Children and Young People Services Specialist support for children from Black and minoritised families who are survivors of domestic violence or abuse, including bilingual counseling, art and play therapy, joint sessions with mothers, and parenting support. Targeted at children who have experienced or witnessed abuse in the home.
• Training and Wellbeing Holistic training and wellbeing services including counseling and therapy (individual and group), NOCN-accredited training courses (computer skills, ESOL, human rights, money management, business enterprise), and group meetings/events. Offers accredited trauma-informed classes for employment-ready confidence. Targeted at Black and minoritised women.
• Counseling and Therapy Individual counselling and therapeutic activities lasting at least 12 weeks to help survivors work through trauma and begin healing. Also includes group therapies (art therapy, play therapy, Saheli sessions) and joint sessions for mothers and children. Targeted at Black and minoritised women and children affected by abuse.
• No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) Support Specialist support for women with NRPF conditions preventing access to state benefits and housing. Includes dedicated refuge accommodation, multi-agency support, training, and advocacy for systemic change. One of few UK organisations providing this support without government funding. Targeted at women with NRPF fleeing abuse.
• Training for Agencies and Partners Training services for organisations working with Black and minoritised women and children, covering topics including NRPF, recognising signs of violence and abuse, and supporting/referring those who have disclosed. Targeted at local authorities, police, social services, health services, and charities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Less than 5% of women who access Angelou's holistic support return to abusive families
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Northumbria Police and Crime CommissionercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated to develop the Northumbria Police & Crime Commissioner Multi-Agency NRPF Guidance and Toolkit. The Angelou Centre played a pivotal role in developing guidance for professionals to identify and respond to needs of migrant survivors facing immigration abuse.
• North East Law CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with legal organisations to ensure survivors receive accurate immigration advice and support. The Angelou Centre provides referrals to immigration solicitors and works with legal partners for client support.
• University of NorthumbriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with the university to launch the Aspire project in 2003, investigating aspirations, training and employment needs of Black and minority ethnic women in the North East.
• BBC North East and CumbriacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborated on the Stories of Colour documentary film that documented experiences of Black, Asian and minority ethnic women following the 2024 far-right riots. BBC journalist Sharuna Sagar spent time with women at the centre to build trust and shape the film's focus.
• Domestic Abuse CommissionercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner in 2020 to produce evidence on the impact of NRPF on migrant survivors, resulting in the 'Hinterland of Marginality' report (2021).
• Roshni, South Asian Women's CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn 2010, Roshni closed and transferred its assets to the Angelou Centre, enabling the purchase of 17 Brighton Grove as the current headquarters location.
• SureStartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the establishment of the Angelou Centre's on-site creche in 2001, providing childcare services for families using the centre.
• Resist NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration in the Stories of Colour initiative. Network members contributed testimonies and perspectives on women's marginalisation from decision-making processes.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ashiana Network: London-based BME women's organisation providing refuge, advice and counselling for Black, Asian and minority ethnic women fleeing domestic abuse; directly comparable specialist by-and-for provider with similar service mix.
• Imkaan: UK-wide federation of BME women's organisations addressing VAWG; directly comparable as a by-and-for BME specialist in the same survivor population that Angelou serves and which formally evaluated Angelou's services.
• Saheli Asian Women's Centre: Asian women's organisation offering domestic abuse support, counselling and advocacy in the South East; comparable by-and-for BME women's specialist with similar service portfolio including group therapy sessions.
• Rights of Women: UK women's rights charity providing legal advice and training on VAWG, family law and immigration; directly comparable specialist in the legal-advocacy intersection of Angelou's work with North East Law Centre.
• Latin American Women's Rights Service (LAWRS): Specialist BME women's organisation providing advocacy, refuge support and immigration advice for Latin American migrant women experiencing VAWG; comparable niche migrant-focused service model.
• Southall Black Sisters: Long-established Black-led women's organisation providing refuge, advocacy and immigration advice for BME women facing violence; a national by-and-for peer with overlapping service model and similar legal/policy advocacy profile.

Broad incumbents

• Refuge (UK): One of the UK's largest specialist domestic violence organisations running national helplines, refuge network and advocacy; a broad incumbent operating at significantly greater scale across the same VAWG/refuge space.
• Women's Aid (England): National federation supporting a network of domestic abuse services and survivors; broad incumbent providing the 'cover your tracks online' guidance that Angelou directly signposts to, operating in the same VAWG space at federated scale.

Regional players

• Nia (formerly Islington Women's Aid): London-based domestic and sexual violence organisation providing refuge, advocacy and counselling for women and children; a regional specialist peer operating similar integrated service model in a different geography.

Others

• Women's Resource Centre (UK): UK umbrella/support body for women's organisations including BME and specialist VAWG providers; adjacent enabling peer offering infrastructure support to organisations in Angelou's category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/angeloucentre1?lang=en
• Facebookfacebook.com/theangeloucentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-angelou-centre
• Instagraminstagram.com/officialangeloucentre?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Angelou Centre