Stop Domestic Abuse receives £75,000 from the Government’s Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund delivered by the National Lottery Community Fund

Faced by the impact of soaring utility bills and growing demand for its critical domestic abuse services, Stop Domestic Abuse was delighted to receive a grant from the Government’s Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund delivered by the National Lottery Community Fund for £75,000.

Stop Domestic Abuse submitted a bid for funding to help it continue to deliver safe accommodation for families fleeing from domestic abuse to the charity’s 18 refuges across Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton. The charity’s refuges provide safe, warm spaces where victims and their children recover from trauma and begin to rebuild their lives, with specialist support from Stop Domestic Abuse. The rising cost of living has increased the charity’s utility bills and running costs by 12% over the last year, whilst the number of victims coming forward for support has increased by 21%.

Claire Lambon, CEO, Stop Domestic Abuse, said,

“We are delighted to be one of the frontline charities to benefit from the Government’s Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK. This grant will help us continue to meet the growing demand for our critical domestic abuse support services.

During the cost of living crisis, we’re finding that families need to stay with us in refuge for longer periods of time than in previous years as they struggle to afford to move on to a secure home of their own. Our refuges have been full over the winter months. Our residents are less able to afford the cost of travelling to access community services, so they’re spending more time in the refuges. This grant provides a welcome boost to help us pay the heating and electricity bills which have risen significantly over the last couple of years.

Many of our refuge residents have been hit hard by the cost of living crisis and, having fled from abuse, can find themselves unable to pay for basic necessities. We are grateful to our community supporters who help us to provide our residents with emergency support such as food, clothing, sanitary and hygiene goods, school uniforms, cot bedding, prams/pushchairs, nappies and other baby essentials.”

A survivor of domestic abuse said,

“The safe space provided at the refuge allowed me to rebuild my life with a newfound strength and resilience. What stood out the most was the consistent motivation and reassurance Stop Domestic Abuse’s team offered, ensuring that I never felt alone or overwhelmed.”

If you live in Hampshire, Portsmouth or Southampton and are experiencing domestic abuse, you can call the Domestic Abuse Advice Line on 0330 0533 630 or email advice@stopdomesticabuse.uk for confidential advice and support.