West Mercia Women’s Aid (WMWA) and Worcester Community Trust (WCT) have joined forces to provide the Worcester Community-Based Abuse Support Service.
The service, which will cost £235,000 to run and will be funded by Worcestershire County Council, will offer confidential support to those affected by domestic abuse across Worcestershire. In addition, and to help ensure the longevity of the service, it is also being placed within the DICM (West Mercia) social value marketplace for suppliers to the region’s emergency services, councils, NHS and criminal justice services to engage with and support as part of their contract social value.
This new social value support aligns with the community safety objectives of the Police & Crime Plan in supporting victims whilst also preventing violence against women, girls and men as published by Police & Crime Commissioner
Those using the service will have access to one-to-one personalised support, as well as access to safe accommodation and refuge.
Sue Coleman, WMWA chief executive, said the new service would employ five staff members in its first year, and said she hoped the service would be commissioned for a second year. Discussing it, she said: “Our teams rarely get the chance to meet with survivors in their home communities and to develop a response that is local in every sense of the word.
“This new service gives us the chance to do just that – have a tangible presence and engage with people where they live, and in settings with which they are familiar.”
Jo Jefferson, of Worcester Community Trust, added: “Now more than ever, due to the current epidemic of domestic abuse there is an urgent need for community-based support services across the whole of Worcestershire. Worcester Community Trust is delighted to be able to deliver this service in partnership with West Mercia Women’s Aid.”