Spellman Care, a group of luxury care homes covering North & West Yorkshire, is proud to announce the launch of collection points for the Love Grace Handbag Appeal across its four homes: Craven Nursing Home (Skipton), Ghyll Royd Care Home (Guiseley), Springbank Care Home (Silsden), and Steeton Court Nursing Home (Steeton).

This initiative, running until 14th June, aims to empower women who have experienced domestic violence by providing them with essential comfort items and a proper sense of dignity and care.

The Love Grace appeal centres on providing handbags filled with essential toiletries and comfort items to women who have experienced domestic violence. This collection aligns with Spellman Care’s core values of Kindness, Dignity, and Compassion.

The idea for the national Love Grace initiative cropped up from a social media post about giving handbags, a concept that resonated deeply with Grace Millane’s family. They adapted the idea to support women in refuges, recognising that for those who have left home quickly, often with few possessions, a handbag offers practical bits and bobs and a sense of personal care.

Spellman Care is encouraging the local community to donate new or gently used handbags large enough to hold a selection of toiletries. The following items are suggested for donation:

Essentials: Toothpaste, toothbrush, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant.

Extras: Wipes, tissues, plasters, soap/hand gel, lip balm, cotton buds, face cloth/sponge, torch, hairbrush/comb.

Luxuries: Make-up, perfume, hairbands/clips, gloves, scarf, notebook/pen, playing cards, purse, sunglasses, jewellery.

Please note that sanitary products should not be donated directly but will be sourced separately by the appeal organisers.

“We are over the moon to support the Love Grace Handbag Appeal,” says Philippa Young, a representative of Spellman Care, “and it feels especially meaningful to launch these collections during Mental Health Awareness Week, recognising the emotional toll of domestic abuse. This initiative provides a way for our residents, staff, and the wider community to show kindness and support to women at a critical time in their lives. We hope that these small gestures of care can make a significant difference, offering a bit of comfort and dignity as they rebuild their lives.”

Donations can be dropped off at the reception of any of the four Spellman Care homes listed below by the 14th June:

• Craven Nursing Home: Keighley Road, Skipton, BD23 2TA
• Ghyll Royd Care Home: New Ghyll Royd, Guiseley, LS20 9LT
• Springbank Care Home: Howden Road, Silsden, BD20 0JB
• Steeton Court Nursing Home: Steeton Hall Gardens, Station Road, Steeton, BD20 6SW