Local charity, Living Without Abuse (LWA), is celebrating after being awarded almost £15,000 in funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund to refurbish their Loughborough and Leicester offices.
LWA supports victims of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The funds will enable LWA to provide its hardworking staff with areas for mental wellbeing and relaxation, as well as a welcoming safe space for clients escaping trauma.
LWA has offered domestic abuse services since 1977 and is made up of paid staff and volunteers who provide a range of services to the local community, whilst managed by a team of volunteer Trustee Directors. The charity actively works to tackle the issues of domestic abuse head-on, whilst raising awareness and hosting numerous events and campaigns each year to support more victims.
This funding from the Severn Trent Community Fund, which awards grant money to improve the three elements of community wellbeing – people, places and environment – means there will now be modern, relaxing staff lounges and wellbeing areas at both offices. In addition to this LWA will offer a welcome and safe one to one counselling room at its Leicester office, for victims of domestic abuse and their families, along with a breakout room which will be used to provide therapy sessions.
Tammy Clinton-Harris, operational manager, says: “Having the funding to add separate spaces for staff break times has been vital for our staff and organisation to fully embrace trauma informed practice.
“Delivering services as we do and supporting vulnerable victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence can have an impact on staff’s emotional health and wellbeing. Vicarious trauma can be prevalent in this sector.
“The breakout space that we are creating will be a fundamental part of staff wellbeing to ensure they are practising in a safe environment and have space to step away and have adequate break times.
“The 1-1 space for service users will ensure we can deliver support sessions and counselling sessions in a calm and welcoming environment with fewer triggers. Service users have been part of the planning for the 1-1 space to make it feel homely and inclusive.”
