Longhurst Group and domestic abuse charity join forces to provide support and housing for survivors

Victims of domestic abuse in Leicestershire will benefit from new refuge accommodation following our link-up with a leading charity.

We’ve joined forces with Women’s Aid Leicestershire to successfully bid for funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which will be used to provide 18 of our homes in the area to house people fleeing domestic abuse.

Women’s Aid Leicestershire will use the funding to employ three floating support workers who will  provide support to those moving into the properties and will work with all partner agencies.

Director of Housing Craig Taylor, who is also a member of the National Housing Federation’s panel on domestic abuse, said he was delighted that we had established the link-up with Women’s Aid Leicestershire and were able to continue our work to tackle the issue.

He said: “This project links in perfectly with our Improving Lives 2025 strategy and also complements the work we’ve been doing as an organisation to tackle domestic abuse through the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Make a Stand campaign.

We all have a responsibility to help end domestic abuse and here at Longhurst Group, we are determined to be a leading light in the sector to help do that.

“Domestic abuse is being highlighted as a major, yet hidden, issue in the housing sector and is getting the air time it now deserves. We’ve seen since the turn of the year, right across the sector, the number of incidences of domestic abuse rising, especially during the Coronavirus pandemic.

“However, it is not just a housing sector problem, it is a national problem. We all have a responsibility to help end domestic abuse and here at Longhurst Group, we are determined to be a leading light in the sector to help do that.

“By forging this partnership with Women’s Aid Leicestershire and taking a stand against domestic abuse, we are helping to do just that and giving survivors a chance of being able to move on with their lives.

“I am looking forward to this project really getting started and making a difference to people’s lives.”

Women’s Aid Leicestershire Chief Executive Pamela Richardson said partnership working was an important way to tackle domestic abuse.

She addd: “Women’s Aid Leicestershire is delighted to be working in partnership with Longhurst Group following the award of this funding to provide additional units of dispersed refuge accommodation.

“When we approached the team at Longhurst Group, they immediately wanted to help. Their support has enabled us to reach out to more survivors and their children who desperately need somewhere to escape to in order to live their lives free from violence.

“We could not have achieved this without partnership working and together we are making a difference.”