AVA (Against Violence & Abuse) is set to close, according to a letter seen by Civil Society.
Charity Commission data for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 puts its total income at £1.20m and total expenditure at £1.28m.
The total income includes £22,000 from one government contract and £560,377 from two government grants.
The letter, from the board of trustees, states they have “unavoidably resolved to place the organisation into liquidation” and AVA is “technically insolvent”.
“We know that this may come as a shock to some and may be unsettling,” it reads.
“The decision to close has been a difficult one, and comes following a period of operational and financial difficulty which the charity has tried to work through.
“Trustees have taken specialist insolvency advice in reaching the decision and are currently (and urgently) working with the nominated liquidator to devise an orderly wind-down of AVA’s operations.”
It adds that AVA’s operations will close with immediate effect and it is working with the liquidator to arrange a formal meeting of members and creditors to be held in the coming weeks.
“As ACA closes, we look back and reflect on our mission and the women the organisation was set up to support, directly and indirectly.
“Today, we look around and see a strong, passionate women’s sector, voicing the needs of those they support, and recognised for their expertise.
“We are sorry AVA cannot continue to be part of this journey but expect many of the staff and trustees will continue to show their dedication to the sector in a variety of ways.
“We recognise many challenges still remain, not least financial.”
The trustees add that as AVA closes it will “do so as gently as possible and minimise any adverse impact on everyone involved”.
AVA did not respond to Civil Society’s request for comment to confirm the closure.
Training events scheduled for the coming weeks remain on its website.
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