- Area:
- South West England
England
- Programme:
- Reaching Communities
- Release date:
- 14 2 2012
The creation of a Centre of Excellence supporting men, women, couples, families and LGBT victims and partners of domestic violence, is the ambition of one Cornwall project receiving a Big Lottery Fund grant today.
Cornwall Women's Refuge Trust (CWRT), which was awarded £261,213, will explore the feasibility of a male-only refuge in South West England, while extending their tailored support services to help at least 400 victims of domestic abuse.
The Trust, which currently manages a women’s refuge, has supported more than 300 men over the past three years while its dedicated website for male victims, Esteem Men, has attracted hits from across the UK. It also runs a training programme for professionals and agencies working with vulnerable people, on issues such as risk assessment, pattern changing, and advocacy. While the Trust offers a counselling and outreach service to anyone over the age of 16, it aims to develop specific support for the male and LGBT group.
Rene Chorley, CWRT Trust Manager, said: “Although domestic abuse still predominantly affects women, men are also victims of abuse, men are killed, men suffer the same effects of abuse as women. But it’s harder for men to come forward, it’s less socially accepted.”
She added: “Three years ago there was no service and there was no recognition that there were male victims of domestic abuse. We have since had recognition from the Home Office among other organisations saying how amazing this work is.”
Stroud Beresford Limited (SBL), which received £218,272, aims to develop an outreach service to reduce harm for women experiencing domestic abuse in the Stroud district, where previously very few options existed. Improving awareness and providing early intervention are key objectives for the project, such as through workshops and training in healthy relationships. As safety issues may prevent women from attending courses, outreach workers can deliver one-to-one training to them.
Jill Cooper, Group Manager of Stroud Beresford Group, said: “The development of a new outreach service providing one-to-one support will make an enormous difference to the options available to women experiencing domestic abuse in Stroud. This project will help people to build confidence, resilience and skills and will help them to help themselves.”
North Devon Homes Limited (NDH), which received £295,029, aims to overcome negative perceptions held about young people, particularly among older people, by providing community opportunities around the areas of Barnstaple and Ilfracombe. The project aims to balance activities with learning and fun in a safe youth club environment.
Today’s funding for all the projects comes from BIG’s Reaching Communities programme, which provides National Lottery good cause grants from £10,000 to £500,000 to help those most in need and build stronger communities.
Mark Cotton, Big Lottery Fund’s Head of the South West region, said: “There are many complex aspects to domestic violence and I am very glad that the projects receiving money today will be able to support people right across the spectrum, giving them an opportunity to make a fresh and positive start.”
A full list of South West projects receiving funding today:
| Project | Beneficiary Locations | Award Amount |
| Cornwall Women’s Refuge Trust | Cornwall | £261,213 |
| Stroud Beresford Group | Stroud | £218,272 |
| North Devon Homes Limited | North Devon | £295,029 |
| Serenity House Bristol Alcohol Recovery Service Ltd | Bristol, Bath, South Gloucestershire, North and North East Somerset | £300,000 |
| Yeoford Village Hall | Yeoford, Devon | £30,000 |
Further Information
Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888
Out of hours media contact: 07867 500 572
Full details of the Big Lottery Fund programmes and grant awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Ask BIG a question here: https://ask.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Follow BIG on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BigLotteryFund #BIGlf
Find BIG on facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFund
Notes to Editors
- The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out 46% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.
- BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK. Since June 2004 BIG has awarded over £4.4bn.
- The Fund was formally established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.
- Since the National Lottery began in 1994, 28p from every pound spent by the public has gone to good causes. As a result, over £27 billion has now been raised and more than 370,000 grants awarded across arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education and the environment.
Tags