Purple Bench Micro Grants

Doubleview House Purple BenchThe generosity of Linkwest, EEO Equal Opportunity Specialists and the Loftus Community Centre Management Committee funded a further 20 Purple Bench Micro Grants in 2022 and 2023.

The Linkwest Purple Bench Micro Grants assist Linkwest member Centres with the cost of materials to transform an existing bench, or to subsidise the cost of purchasing a new bench. Placing a purple bench outside a Centre is a permanent reminder that Centres are safe and confidential spaces for women, while also honouring people in our communities who have lost their life to domestic violence. Purple benches were launched in 2015 in Canada, where they are located in public parks to honour the memory of women murdered by their partners and to provide help for people experiencing domestic violence. 

"The purple bench is an important addition to our Centre. The domestic and family violence statistics are alarming. It’s important to raise awareness as well as honour those victims killed as a result of DFV. The plaque also reminds anyone coming into our centre that we are a safe space and that there are organisations that can offer support and advice." - Doubleview House

"As a small rural community we benefit from supporting each other and to commemorate and honour victims of domestic violence in our public space is an important reminder for all members of our community." - Augusta Community Resource Centre

Our network of Centres is part of a growing footprint of purple benches across Western Australia, providing a highly visible reminder and call to action on the issue of domestic violence in our communities. This Linkwest micro grant program has now helped with the installation of more than 60 purple benches at Centres across WA so far.

If you, or someone you know is impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence 1800RESPECT.org.au or 1800737732 is available for free 24 hours a day 7 days a week for confidential support. 

Dalwallinu CRC Purple Bench“Our hope is that this bench will provide a permanent reminder to our community that the Dalwallinu Community Resource Centre is a safe and confidential space for women to visit with their children. No one should have to live with family domestic violence. Let this purple bench honour the past victims of Family Domestic Violence and help put a stop to future violence. Help is available.”
- Dalwallinu CRC
Escare Purple bench“Escare supports many of our past and current clients experiencing DV and we honoured to be able to provide a chair at the front of our office to honour victims killed as a result of family and domestic violence. We also see the chair as a reminder to the community that we are here to listen and support without judgement to any person experiencing violence and that they are not alone.”
- Escare
Merredin CRC Purple Bench“We launched our Purple Bench on Friday 17th March with attendees coming from the Shire of Merredin, CRC Management Committee, Amity Health, WACHS, Men’s Shed, Wheatbelt Agcare, Share& Care Northam and members of the public.  It was our way of paying tribute to those who have been affected by Domestic Violence in WA and to join the continued growth of the Purple Bench Project to help spread the word.” 
- Merredin CRC
Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre Purple Bench“Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre’s vision is to 'Support individuals and families to effectively manage their own lives and to create connections to the community' and we work with many individuals who are experiencing many forms of control and abuse. The Purple Bench Project aligns with our determination to provide a safe place for individuals to come and seek help. We also take our responsibility to inform and provide learning opportunities to the wider community.”
- Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre

 

Recipients of the 2022-2023 Purple Bench Micro Grants

  • Augusta CRC
  • Boddington CRC
  • Brunswick Junction CRC
  • Coolgardie CRC
  • Dalwallinu CRC
  • Doubleview House
  • Escare
  • Hudson Road Family Centre
  • Hyden CRC
  • Kambalda CRC
  • Kununurra Neighbourhood House
  • Merredin CRC
  • Nannup CRC
  • Newdegate CRC
  • Norseman CRC
  • Pinjarra CRC/Murray House Resource Centre
  • Rainbow Coast NC
  • Victoria Park Community Centre
  • Yongergnow-Ongerup CRC
  • York CRC

 

New Round Open! In the 2023–2024 financial year, Linkwest is once again offering purple bench micro grants. The new round is now open, and you can find our more details about the grants program and download the application package on the Purple Bench Micro Grants page.