DAWN was founded in 1993, as a voluntary organisation by a group of women from varying professional backgrounds. It was converted to a charitable trust and registered with the UK Charities Commissioner in May 2000.

The charity is chaired by Rani Kalha, one of the core group of founders who since then has spearheaded the organisation to become what is is today – one of Harrow’s leading charities for mental health counselling and social inclusion.

Funded through both private and public donation and grants, DAWN’s mission is two fold:

1. To provide emotional and mental health support – through provision of one-to-one counselling support delivered in a gender-specific women only space, as well as, a gender-neutral space to support everyone whether men, women, couples or families.
2. To provide social inclusion and wellbeing support for women – through provision of access to information, advocacy and advisory support and, creation of educational, cultural and recreational opportunities to alleviate social isolation and foster a sense of belonging to improve the quality of their lives.