Socio-economic projects
NMP COMMUNITY FUND 10/11
BACKGROUND
The NMP Community Fund was set up in 2009 to support projects that help to improve the lives of people in West Cumbria by raising their aspiration and achievement.
Grants are available to community based organisations providing activities that improve the lives of people in West Cumbria and individuals wanting to undertake training or a qualification to improve their employment opportunities.
West Cumbria Domestic Violence Support (WCDVS)
Awarded £68,184 over 3 years
Funded Jan 2010
Set up in 1997, WCDVS needed to move to larger and more suitable premises as referrals to the organisation had doubled.
Domestic violence in Cumbria is 5% higher than the rest of the country. 30% of children are on the "at risk" register and 35% of children are in contact with education welfare with domestic violence as a contributing factor.
WCDVS is the only free and confidential service in West Cumbria with a team of counsellors able to offer a full advocacy and support service which provides practical help, support and advice, 1-1 and group therapy to victims/survivors, perpetrators, family members (mainly children) and friends who are or have been in abusive relationships.
WCDVS has developed in its work of reducing the impact of domestic abuse and provides ongoing support. Victims learn personal empowerment & how to move from co-dependency to independence. Children learn to express & understand their feelings naturally & safely. Perpetrators learn to change their attitudes and take responsibility for their actions to develop non abusive behaviours and applying them to everyday life.
The funding has enabled WCDVS to provide their service from larger premises that not only have dedicated counselling rooms and a group-counselling suite, but are also easy to access by car or bus and have full disabled facilities.
WCDVS is making a significant difference to the lives of domestic violence victims and their families. Many of them have turned their lives around and found the incentive to find paid employment, enter further education. Some have become volunteers and 3 have joined their management committee
Feedback
"Without this group I'd still at home believing that my life was fine but now I'm a different and confident person. If through volunteering I can repay even a tenth of what these remarkable women have helped me achieve, I will be satisfied". Volunteer since 2005.
"I ended a very difficult and abusive relationship. I was ready to move on but my ex had other ideas. I suffered daily attacks of abuse and I hit crisis point. I was helped to build myself back up and finally started to live again, have friends round and even get a job. What I have learned will stay with me forever. I dread to think what would have become of me and my children had this help not been available." Victim
Contact us
NMP Office
Kelton House, Ingwell Drive
Westlakes Science & Technology Park
Moor Row
Cumbria
CA24 3HX
United Kingdom
Tel: (+44) (0) 1946 599375
