The Journey So Far

A Journey Over Four Decades

A group of Bangladeshi women come together to address issues affecting their community in Tipton.

1984 - 2024

1983-1984

The Bangladeshi Women's Association (BWA) was formally constituted. Arts and crafts, summer holiday play schemes, trips to sea sides and theme parks and ESOL classes started to engage and empower the wider community.

1985-1989

1993-1998

BWA's Community Advice Services and the Tipton Young Asian Women's Forum (TYAWF) were introduced. The 'Big Banner Project' was launched which travelled around the world including Dubai, South Africa, Ireland and Malaysia.

1989-1992

BWA management committee successfully supported Sandwell council to build the Tipton Muslim Community Centre (TMCC) to meet the increased demand for localised services in Tipton.

1999-2001

BWA introduced the Community Capacity Building Project involving advice, information and support, launched by the speaker of the house; Rt. Honourable Betty Boothroyd, MP for West Bromwich.

2002-2003

BWA supported TYAWF to introduce a 3 year Reach Project employing 2 youth workers to deliver peer education.

2004-2006

BWA introduced the Community Advice Service. The TYAWF was awarded the Young People Charter Awards. TYAWF was the first group in Sandwell to achieve this.

2007-2008

BWA introduced a programme of 'Long Term Sustainability' and 'Contract Ready' and registered with the Charity Commission. NRF and IT access points were established.

2009-2010

BWA started the AIG and training programme for the unemployed people in Tipton and received the Matrix Quality Mark Standard.

2011-2012

BWA becomes a company limited by guarantee and gained a 3 year service level agreement to manage the Sandwell Council owned the Tipton Muslim Community Centre. Microsoft Hub was also established.

2014-2019

The Tipton Communities Connected through the delivery of equal and improved access to social economic opportunities for all residents in Tipton.

2013-2014

BWA gained a 25 year lease for the management of TMCC. The HTP Enterprise was appointed to improve the organisational and programme capacity. A community led regeneration programme was introduced and launched.

The Bangladeshi Women’s Association Limited (BWA Limited) is a successful community led organisation based in the Borough of Sandwell. Encountered with multiple deprivation, the association was established in 1984 by a group of enthusiastic women who wanted to meet the social & economic needs of their disadvantaged peers, young people, and families.

In 1985 BWA Limited started its activities initially taking the issues of social exclusion, poor access to community facilities and services, women’s and child rights through a community development approach. Today, the association is a formally constituted, community led, charitable company committed to delivering community led regeneration in the alleviation of inequality, poverty and deprivation from Sandwell.