Over £250,000 funding to support South West domestic abuse survivors

“Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service has seen a huge increase in demand due to coronavirus, so we are pleased that this funding has been awarded by the Government.

We would like to thank all those volunteers who are currently working hard to support this brilliant local charity.

We would urge any man or woman who believes they may be suffering from abuse of any kind, including, coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of violence), psychological and/or emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial or economic abuse, harassment and stalking ,or online or digital abuse, to reach out for support by ring the 24-hour helpline on 01793 610610 or visiting https://swadomesticabuse.org/

The Swindon Women’s Aid charity shop has been forced to close due to Coronavirus and many fundraising events have been put on hold, so we would also ask local residents to consider organising their own fundraising in line with the current government guidelines, or donating to the Covid-19 Appeal here https://swadomesticabuse.org/”

More than 100 charities that provide lifesaving services for domestic abuse survivors will receive a share of £8.1million in government funding.

The funding will provide over 1,500 refuge spaces to support domestic abuse survivors at risk during the coronavirus pandemic.

Eight of the charities are based in the South West and will receive £258,511 between them (note that some cover a wider area than just where they’re based)…

• North Devon Against Domestic Abuse (NDADA) (based in Barnstaple) (www.ndada.co.uk) – £70,786
• Cornwall Refuge Trust (Truro) (www.cornwallrefugetrust.co.uk) – £39,451
• Swindon Women’s Aid (Swindon) (https://swadomesticabuse.org) – £36,930
• Stroud Women’s Refuge (Stroud Beresford Group) (Stroud) (www.stroudwomensrefuge.org) – £32,574
• Julian House (Bath, covering much of South West) (www.julianhouse.org.uk) – £23,313
• Missing Link (Bristol) (https://missinglinkhousing.co.uk) – £20,824
• Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (Bournemouth, covering other parts of South West) (www.bcha.org.uk) – £20,337
• Splitz Support Service (Trowbridge, covering other parts of South West) (www.splitz.org) – £14,296

Coronavirus: A Statement from Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP

"We are facing significant challenges in the coming weeks with more people being asked to self-isolate because of Coronavirus. It is vital that we follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Officer but also look at what we can do to support our neighbours and the most vulnerable in our society.

My South Swindon Constituency office will be focussing on supporting those constituents who require urgent assistance. For those looking for general NHS or Government guidance and advice on Coronavirus, please visit https://www.robertbuckland.co.uk/coronavirus. Please be patient with us over other matters at this time."