Domestic abuse charity gets £2.5m council contract

A domestic abuse charity in Wolverhampton has been awarded a £2.5m contract from the council.

The Haven Wolverhampton, which supports women and children affected by domestic abuse, has been recommissioned to provide safe accommodation and community support services under a three-year minimum contract.

The contract also includes the return of the city council's Sanctuary Scheme, which aims to see improved security measures available to victims, including CCTV and fireproof letterboxes.

Laura Rogers, CEO, said: "This milestone means we can continue our commitment of supporting victims and survivors to be seen, heard, and safe, and for that, we are honoured."

The Haven's contract with the City of Wolverhampton Council starts from July, with a potential for an extension of up to seven years and a total award of almost £6m.

It also offered specialist accommodation allowing victims to keep their pets with them, the charity said.

As part of the scheme, Barnardo's will support the Children and Young People's offer, the Refugee and Migrant Centre will assist victims with insecure immigration status, and Black Country Women's Aid will lead safeguarding work with professionals.

The Haven said between 2024-25, 2,659 helpline calls were answered on average each month, with 1,800 women and children referred to its services.

Rogers said the charity relied "hugely" on local authority funding and other fundraising efforts to offer "vital and life-saving support" to survivors of domestic abuse.

"When challenging those who choose to abuse, it is integral that services and partners stand together, united," she said.

"We are therefore delighted to have our partners on board, helping improve specialist support to those who need it and ensuring we are always taking a best-practice and collaborative approach to our work, we cannot do this alone."

Rogers added being recommissioned to provide existing safe accommodation and services was special, but being part of the authority's new Sanctuary Scheme and other services, was a "true privilege".

"What a moment for our city, and for the women and children who so desperately need our support," she added.

"We are so looking forward to the future, standing firm with our community and proud of our continued legacy of being Wolverhampton's lead domestic abuse services provider of more than 50 years. "

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