A domestic abuse charity says the council has “left them to rot” in a damp and decaying building after promising them a new premises seven months ago.
Voice4Change is currently in The Old Museum building on Church Road in Waterloo where they have been based for around 10 years.
The charity helps both victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse with a range of services including counselling.
However, volunteers claim the building is “a healthy and safety risk” – damp, full of mould, with plaster coming off the walls.
Sefton Council says it has found a new building for the charity, but it needs refurbishing.
One charity volunteer, Danielle – who did not want to give her surname – said: “The building is freezing cold. We are running on fan heaters which are not doing much at all.
“We are providing an essential service here. A real lifeline, especially given that lockdown has caused domestic violence rates to spiral. We can’t stop operating, so we have to keep going in a hazardous environment.
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“We need a building that is fit for purpose.”
The charity was first set up in 1996 and gets referrals for people to use the service from Sefton Council, child protection services and Merseyside Police.
Voice4Change was told in February that a new building would be found, but volunteers say they keep being “fobbed off”.
One of the founders of the charity – who did not want to be named – said due to the professional service they offer they want the building to reflect this as well.
She said: “I have worked here on a voluntary basis for 23 years.
“We’re very grateful for being given this building over the years, but for the health of the service users and volunteers and their needs we need a new one.
“We are being treated with utter disrespect by Sefton Council.”
A Sefton Council spokesman said: “Terms have been agreed to relocate Voice4Change into alternative premises and this will take place once the refurbishment project at the identified premises is complete.
“We are aware of the problems with the charity’s current premises and have been investigating alternative, Council-owned premises as an interim measure prior to the above taking place, for Voice4Change to move into.
“As soon as the search for appropriate premises is concluded we will contact Voice4Change accordingly.”
