We are delighted to announce our new partnership with West Mercia Women’s Aid. Together, we will be providing community-based domestic abuse support across Worcestershire, allowing specialist domestic abuse workers to deliver help directly in the community. With a shared ethos of believing, listening to and empowering those affected by domestic abuse, our organisations aim to enable survivors to make informed decisions.
The service offers confidential support to those affected by domestic abuse across Worcestershire and includes one-to-one personalised support and local peer group sessions, as well as access to the safe accommodation and refuge, and high-risk advocacy to give specialised support already in place in the county.
Sue Coleman, WMWA Chief Executive said; “At West Mercia Women’s Aid our services are in constant demand, which means that 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. This new project, working with our close partners at Worcester Community Trust, presents a brilliant opportunity to combine skills and offer a dynamic new service for people across all communities in Worcestershire.”
Jo Jefferson, Head of Health and Targeted Intervention, Worcester Community Trust said; “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.”
Those looking to access support can reach out as follows:
Worcester Community Trust will be taking referrals for Worcester City, Wychavon and the Malvern Hills on 07341 457 923 or via https://www.worcestercommunitytrust.org.uk/dawn-self-referral/
For North Worcestershire (Redditch, Bromsgrove & the Wyre Forest please contact West Mercia Women’s Aid: Helpline – 0800 980 333 https://www.westmerciawomensaid.org/
This, combined with the incredible support from our crowdfunder earlier in the year, and 12 months of new funding from the South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership (beginning 1 April 2025), means that after a period of uncertainty, we are now back open and taking new referrals to support individuals from any gender who are experiencing domestic abuse.