Stroud District Council staff have named Stroud Women’s refuge as their new charity of the year.
The charity supports women who have been forced to leave their homes due to domestic abuse. Established in 1977, as the Stroud Beresford Group, it is the only refuge in Gloucestershire, and one of only a handful of independent refuges in the UK.
The charity of the year is chosen by council employees who are invited to nominate a charity based in the Stroud district, then vote for their favourite from a shortlist.
The last charity to be voted was Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) Sharpness which ran for two years due to the lack of fundraising opportunities caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Jill Cooper, CEO of Stroud Women’s Refuge said: “We are delighted that Stroud District Council staff have chosen us as their charity of the year. In the last couple of years families affected by domestic abuse have faced more challenges than ever. And children have perhaps faced the worst impact.
“Being chosen as Stroud District Council’s charity of the years not only promises much needed funds but also sends a powerful message of support to those affected.”
Cllr Doina Cornell, leader of Stroud District Council said: “It’s a shocking statistic that one in four women are affected by domestic abuse in their lifetime, so I’m delighted that such a worthwhile cause will be the beneficiaries of fundraising efforts by Stroud District Council staff and members this year.”
One of the priorities in SDC’s Council Plan is Community Resilience and Wellbeing, supporting communities to help each other and build resilience through a network of community hubs and other community-led networks, with mental and physical health and wellbeing at its heart.
- Domestic Abuse affects 1 in 4 women throughout their lifetime
- Women are much more likely than men to be victims of high risk or severe domestic abuse
- Marginalised and vulnerable women are amongst those most at risk of harm
- More than two women a week are killed by a partner or ex-partner
- 20% of children in the UK have lived with an adult perpetrating domestic abuse.
- 62% of children living with domestic abuse are directly harmed by the perpetrator
- The Council of Europe recommend that there is one refuge space per 10,000 population. This means that there should be 60 bed spaces across the county. At the current time Stroud Beresford can accommodate up to 9 families.
To find out more about the Stroud Women’s Refuge, visit the website
To support Stroud Women’s Refuge through the Lucky Severn community lottery, with a weekly chance of winning a prize, including a £250,000 jackpot, visit https://www.luckysevernlottery.co.uk/support/stroud-womens-refuge
