On 1 February 2010, the Corston Independent Funders’ Coalition and the Ministry of Justice announced the creation of a joint £2m fund to divert women from custody.

The Women’s Diversionary Fund will be managed by the Corston Independent Funders Coalition. Selected organisations delivering or capable of delivering services in the community to women offenders or those at risk of offending will be invited to apply; there will not be an open applications process. The Fund will focus on:
• service development or continuation, filling gaps and further developing services;
• building organisational and sector capacity.

Please do not contact individual trusts and foundations about the Women’s Diversionary Fund.

Third sector organisations currently delivering in this or related fields will be invited to apply, so there is no need to contact the Coalition to register an interest.

Press queries should be directed to the Ministry of Justice Press Office on 0203 334 3536 or to Antonia Bance on behalf of the members of the Coalition.