THE CHARITY which runs a women’s refuge in Malvern has insisted its service will improve despite deciding to close it down for good.
Home Group have told the Observer it will close the town’s refuge – a place where women hurt by domestic abuse can stay in – because its current building is ‘no longer fit for purpose’.
The charity says it will relocate the women, who live in the refuge, to new accommodations in and around Worcestershire providing them with a new and more flexible-friendly environment between now and October.
Anita Andrews, Home Group client service manager, said: “We’re changing the way in which we support domestic abuse survivors in Malvern. Currently we operate from one building which is becoming old, dated and is no longer fit for purpose.
“The current building also does not allow pets or male children aged 14 or over to reside there and we know some women refuse to leave abusive partners because they can’t bring their older sons with them.
“Our new way of working will address this and provide additional safe houses where domestic abuse survivors will be able to bring children of any age with them. This will allow more independent living and flexibility for male and female survivors who will continue to receive emotional and practical support in their recovery through our Freedom Programme.”
However the charity’s statement to close down the refuge has puzzled Malvern town and district councillor Julian Roskams after he received a letter from Home Group stating it was ‘with a heavy heart’ to shut it down following financial pressures.
The letter, which a copy has been given to the Observer, stated no mention of the building being unfit for purpose.
It reads: “We have endured many changes with contracts and funding over the years and always managed to keep serving women and children in need of a safeplace to be when fleeing domestic abuse.
“However with the most recent cuts we have seen a 52 per cent decrease in funds and our staff team has reduced from 17 to 6.
“With this news and following several meetings it is with a heavy heart that we are having to close the women’s refuge in Malvern. This will be happening in October 2016.”
Coun Roskams said: “The letter I’ve received says nothing about the building not being fit for purpose and nothing about alternative premises.
“There is talk of announcing the closure ‘with a heavy heart’ – not something you say if it is just about the building.”
Asked about the letter which Coun Roskams received, Anita Andrews from Home group added: “Like all council’s Worcestershire County Council has received reduced funding from Government. We’ve worked with the council to find a way to support vulnerable people and provide greater efficiencies for the tax payer.”
Anyone experiencing domestic abuse can call the Worcestershire Domestic Abuse helpline on 0800 9803331.
