A charity that helps women save themselves from abusive relationships has secured vital funding to continue its life-saving work.
Newcastle Women’s Aid (NWA) has been given a grant of £109,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund, which will safeguard its vital support services for the next two years.
The charity had provided life-saving refuge services to city women in danger of violent partners for more than 40 years.
But it was forced to re-invent itself after Newcastle City Council awarded contracts for domestic abuse refuge and outreach services to a new provider, in 2016.
Trustees, directors and staff were determined to continue providing services to women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse in the city.
And in April 2017, the charity relaunched at its new city centre base, offering flexible ongoing support services to women, focused on helping them escape abusive relationships in the long-term and rebuilding their lives.
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Elaine Langshaw, chief executive of NWA said, the Lottery grant will safeguard the charity's future for the next two years, which in turn will save lives.
She said: "This is fantastic, the funding award means we can continue to support women and girls affected by domestic violence and abuse to achieve safety and make positive changes to their lives.
"The work we do is life changing and does save lives, we are all so pleased with the award and the recognition it gives to the need for specialist services.
"It’s really important that women and girls in Newcastle have a flexible service where they can get help and be able to ask the question; 'I this domestic abuse what’s happening to me?'”
NWA's new services were influenced by what women and girls said they needed to be able to escape, cope, and recover from domestic abuse.
Elaine added: "The National Lottery Community Fund is made possible from National Lottery Players and we just want to thank everyone for supporting the work of Newcastle Women's Aid."
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