Funding cuts force domestic abuse charity to close

A women's charity has announced it will have to cease operating the end of March 2025 after fighting for the past 12 months to stay open.

Vida Sheffield has offered trauma-focused therapy to domestic abuse survivors for almost 30 years.

Chair Marilyn Gregory said it felt like the charity would be letting down women who needed its services.

She said: “It is so disheartening to find ourselves with no prospect of sustaining our services, it feels like we are letting down those women who have no alternatives.”

In November 2023, Vida launched a petition for emergency council funding after cuts put the service at risk of closure.

The petition, containing 27,481 signatures, was presented at a Sheffield City Council meeting on15 July.

Speaking at the time, Angela Argenzio, chair of the council's adult health and social care policy committee, said the authority could not directly fund the charity.

A statement from Vida said, despite receiving written and verbal support, closure would be necessary at the end of March 2025.

It said the charity needed to raise about £250,000 a year to maintain its services, which provide support to up to 200 people annually.

Vida claimed it saved the NHS about £50,000 per month.

Clinical manager Jane McLaren said it had been a very difficult year.

“The incredible team of trauma-informed therapists have been amazing in keeping the service going over the last 12 months despite all of the challenges we’ve faced and I’ve found them and our service users inspirational in their drive to support our service.

“We know that other services addressing mental health receive direct funding but Vida does not.”

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