£240k lottery boost for abuse support service

A service which helps women who have been victims of domestic and sexual abuse has been awarded £240,000 of lottery funding.

Torquay-based Phoenix Rising, a community interest company set up in 2020, said the cash injection from the National Lottery Community Fund meant the group could hire more staff, recruit extra volunteers and expand into the South Hams.

The organisation offers courses and activities including bespoke workshops and drop-ins designed to help survivors heal and thrive.

Founder and director Claire Lear said the financial boost would help "empower survivors to take that next step in their journey and helping other people through it".

Lear said: "This means so much to us that the lottery believed in what we do and wants us to spread what we do further to other communities.

"These are exciting times for us.

"Every woman should be able to benefit from our service - it's a service for women survivors, led by survivors and developed and adapted due to survivors' needs."

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