Families fleeing domestic abuse in Bucks given extra help
A grant from Buckinghamshire Council has paid for essentials
Children fleeing domestic abuse have been helped with essentials, thanks to work between Buckinghamshire Council and Women's Aid.
A £1,830 grant has provided things like PJs, underwear and toiletries for the kids and their mums in the Wycombe charity's care.
The Council say this shows how their community boards can help react to the needs in their area.
Earlier this year Wycombe Women's Aid approached High Wycombe Community Board and South West Chilterns Community Board with an application for funding to buy essentials for women and children fleeing domestic violence.
The two boards liaised with the council's Helping Hand team to work out the best way of being able to support the charity.
The Helping Hand programme was set up last year to support families struggling as a result of the pandemic.
Using funding from the Government Winter Grant Fund, the council was able to allocate the cash to the charity to buy much needed essentials including nightwear, underwear and toiletries for women and children fleeing abuse.
Wycombe Women's Aid works with victims of domestic abuse in the local area. In the past year a rise in cases of domestic abuse across the country has led to increased pressure and demand for services and support offered by organisations such as Wycombe Women's Aid.
Sophie who works for the charity explained:
"For women coming into the refuge the journey is often long and stressful and they rarely bring more than they are able to carry. It is important that we are able to provide families with these essentials to help them settle in and to retain their dignity.
"Women in the community who use our outreach services are often struggling financially as a result of the domestic violence they are experiencing and so we also need to support them with these basic essentials that they need for themselves and their children.
"We are extremely grateful for this funding and the recognition this grant gives to the important work we carry out on the local area."
Sarah Ashmead, Buckinghamshire's Council Deputy Chief Executive said:
"This is another great example of how our local community boards are having a real impact in their local area, reacting to need and supporting local people. By working through our community boards the council is able to address particular local needs in the best way possible."
Buckinghamshire has 16 local community boards covering the whole county. Each board works closely with partners, groups, organisations and residents to listen to what matters to them and works with them to make improvements.