A Neath Port Talbot-based charity is set to receive £2.7m worth of funding described as 'game changing' to massively increase services for victims of domestic abuse.
Local domestic abuse charity, Thrive Women's Aid, is based in Port Talbot and has helped women and children affected by domestic abuse in the borough for over 42 years.
The loan of £2.7 million from Social and Sustainable Capita will be used to purchase 20 properties in the Neath Port Talbot region, which will serve as safe move-on accommodation, where support services can also be delivered to help women and children rebuild their lives. You can get more Neath and Port Talbot news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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It will be the first time the charity has been able to buy up homes for itself, giving it greater control over the accommodation it provided, as well as allowing it to offer more stability for the families it supports. The charity’s available accommodation will increase from 11 units to 31, a move it says will help it meet the increased demand from victims of domestic abuse.
Representatives at the Welsh charity said it came as the need for the service in the Neath Port Talbot area was still incredibly high, particularly after the pandemic where there was a 42% increase in referrals to its adult services. Lucy Reynolds, CEO at Thrive Women’s Aid, said the money would allow it to advance its strategies and help tackle the increase in the coming years.
She said: "One of our four strategic priorities over the next five years is to modernise, innovate and transform our accommodation support services for individuals and families fleeing domestic abuse. This includes increasing the number of properties available for those with varying needs and risk levels.
"Owning properties gives us more control and allows us to bring support services together under one roof in a holistic way. Like the rest of the UK, Neath Port Talbot has a housing crisis, and it can be difficult for women to access housing. We provide move-on accommodation with support to enable them to re-build their lives after experiencing domestic abuse and regain their independence in safe communities."
Ben Rick, co-founder and CEO of SASC, added: "We are pleased to be making our first investment from our SASH fund in a Welsh charity. Thrive is a well-run organisation with a great vision and strong community links. This loan promises to be real game changer for them – putting them in control and enabling them to transform their accommodation and services."
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