Domestic abuse charity secures contract extension

The boss of a charity that supports domestic abuse victims has welcomed an extension to its funding from the local authority.

Cheshire Without Abuse (MyCWA) had been facing closure after 47 years, as the council decided it wanted to run its support services in-house.

The extension will enable the charity to continue to provide 16 accommodation units in east Cheshire, Cheshire East Council said.

Saskia Lightburn-Ritchie, the charity's CEO, said the 12-month extension would help vulnerable people escape harm and heal.

"We also look forward to the voices of the Cheshire East community being heard in the upcoming public consultation, and survivors themselves being able to help shape the future of domestic abuse support across Cheshire East," Ms Lightburn-Ritchie said

The charity received nearly £400,000 from the authority in the past year and helped about 4,000 people in that time.

Councillor Laura Crane, chair of the council's children and families committee, said supporting victims of domestic abuse remained a priority.

"Our domestic abuse family safety unit works tirelessly to ensure victims know support is always available," she said.

"To ensure continuity of support for victims of domestic abuse, we are extending our contract with MyCWA, ensuring adequate refuge provision for the coming year.

"During this period, we will continue to redesign our domestic abuse services to guarantee integrated support."

Crane added that she had herself "personally used these services".

"I am committed to actively promoting access to our support services and highlighting the essential and impactful work our domestic abuse team does," she added.

Council bosses said they plan to launch a consultation on a new domestic and sexual abuse strategy in the coming months.

The strategy, due to come into force in April 2026, will set out how the authority and other organisations in the area support victims.

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