The best-known women's charities in the UK cover four areas: domestic abuse (Women's Aid, Refuge, Solace), sexual violence (Rape Crisis England and Wales), work and equality (Fawcett Society, Smart Works, Young Women's Trust) and women's health or global causes (Wellbeing of Women, Womankind, Women for Women International). Pick by cause first, then check the charity number.
I've worked with plenty of small business owners who want to give back, run a fundraiser or choose a charity partner, and the question is always the same: which one does what? So this is a plain directory, built from each charity's own website.
Where a charity shows its registered number on its site, I've included it so you can check it on the Charity Commission register before you give.
Domestic abuse and violence against women
| Charity | What it says it does | Registered number shown on its site |
|---|---|---|
| Women's Aid | A federation providing life-saving domestic abuse services across England and campaigning to change attitudes and the law | Charity in England No. 1054154 |
| Refuge | Describes itself as the UK's largest specialist domestic abuse organisation, supporting women experiencing abuse and the people worried about them | Not shown on the page I read |
| Solace Women's Aid | London's largest domestic abuse and sexual violence charity: advice, counselling, refuge accommodation and community services | Charity Number 1082450 (England and Wales) |
| Southall Black Sisters | Free advice, support and advocacy to help women and girls live free from violence and abuse, and campaigns to challenge it | Not shown on the page I read |
Sexual violence support
Rape Crisis England and Wales calls itself the feminist charity working to end sexual violence and abuse. It's also the membership body for Rape Crisis centres, and says it works with 36 member centres to deliver specialist services across England and Wales. If you want local support, the centres are where the face-to-face help happens.
Work, pay and equality
| Charity | Focus | Registered number shown on its site |
|---|---|---|
| Fawcett Society | A century of campaigning for gender equality, now including parental leave and the Equality Act | 1108769 (England and Wales) |
| Smart Works | Clothing, confidence and interview coaching to help women into work, from 10 centres across the UK | Not shown on the page I read |
| Young Women's Trust | Supports young women aged 18 to 30 on low or no pay, with coaching, webinars and campaigns | Not shown on the page I read |
| Agenda Alliance | Research and campaigns for women and girls facing multiple unmet needs, with an alliance of member organisations | Charity no. 1179417 |
Smart Works shares a striking number on its homepage: it says it has supported over 37,000 women into employment over the past decade. If you run a business with a wardrobe clear-out or a few hours of interview practice to give, it's one of the most practical places to start.
Women's health and global causes
- Wellbeing of Women says it's the only UK charity funding research across all of women's reproductive and gynaecological health. Registered in England and Wales as 239281 and in Scotland as SC042856.
- Womankind Worldwide supports women's movements around the world, sharing power and resources with feminist organisations. UK Registered Charity No. 328206.
- Women for Women International helps women survivors of war rebuild their lives and says it has worked in conflict-affected countries for over 30 years. UK Charity Registration Number 1115109.
Ways to help that go beyond a donation
Cash matters, but several of these charities ask for other things too, and their websites say so plainly.
- Women's Aid runs training courses for teams who work with survivors, and its caseworkers handle referrals through its No Woman Turned Away service when refuge space is hard to reach.
- Fawcett Society is a membership charity, and it says its members give it both the funds and the voice to push for change.
- Smart Works runs fashion sales and needs donated workwear, so a business wardrobe clear-out can help a woman walk into an interview.
- Young Women's Trust offers free monthly webinars and online workshops for young women, which is worth passing on if you employ or mentor women aged 18 to 30.
- Wellbeing of Women and Women for Women International both run fundraising events and partnerships with companies.
If you run a small business, a partnership doesn't have to be big. One fundraiser a year, staff volunteering or donated skills, like design or bookkeeping, can matter more to a small charity than a one-off cheque.
How to choose a women's charity to support
- Decide on the cause: abuse, sexual violence, work, health or international.
- Decide on reach: national federations like Women's Aid, or a local member centre near you.
- Check the registered number on the Charity Commission register before giving.
- If you're a UK taxpayer, add Gift Aid so the charity can claim extra on your donation.
- If you're raising funds online, my walkthrough on setting up a Facebook fundraiser gets you live in minutes.
If you're an employer, it's also worth reading about family and domestic violence leave, because practical support at work is often what lets someone stay safe and stay employed.
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My verdict
There isn't one best women's charity. There's the right one for the cause you care about. If it's abuse, Women's Aid, Refuge and Solace are the big three. If it's work and pay, Fawcett, Smart Works and Young Women's Trust do very different jobs, from policy to a suit for an interview. Whichever you choose, check the number, add Gift Aid, and if you can give time or skills as well as cash, ask them what they need most.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest women's charity in the UK?
Refuge describes itself as the UK's largest specialist domestic abuse organisation, and Solace Women's Aid describes itself as London's largest domestic abuse and sexual violence charity.
Which women's charities help with domestic abuse?
Women's Aid, Refuge, Solace Women's Aid and Southall Black Sisters all provide domestic abuse support, according to their own websites.
Which charity helps women get into work?
Smart Works provides clothing and interview coaching from 10 UK centres, and Young Women's Trust supports women aged 18 to 30 on low or no pay.
How do I check a women's charity is registered?
Look for the registered charity number on its website, such as 1054154 for Women's Aid, then search for it on the Charity Commission register.
Is there a UK charity for women's health research?
Yes. Wellbeing of Women says it's the only UK charity funding research across all of women's reproductive and gynaecological health.
