Local spotlight - Family Help
During the pandemic many local organisations have suffered hardship with many services temporarily closing. But we'd like to shine the spotlight on those who've worked tirelessly for the Darlington public in keeping their community safe. Today we are featuring Family Help who are a charity that offers specialist domestic abuse support for women and women with children fleeing domestic abuse.
Gemma Cordey, a Community Engagement Worker with Family Help Darlington kindly shares how they have been making a difference during the pandemic.
Can you tell us about your group, service or organisation and how it started?
Established in 1976, Family Help Darlington CIO (registered charity in England and Wales No. 1150798) offers specialist domestic abuse support for women and women with children fleeing domestic abuse.
Family Help Darlington CIO is an independent charity, which is home to Darlington’s only women’s refuge – one of the longest-standing refuges in the UK. We provide safe temporary accommodation for those that need it, in our purpose-built refuge, providing them with a safe, welcoming home and a supportive team who encourage progress towards positive and safe outcomes, where they are free from violence and domestic abuse.
Family Help also provide a confidential helpline (Tel: 01325 364486) for any person affected by domestic abuse, either directly or indirectly.
Can you share how your group, service or organisation is making a difference and who you have helped?
We make a difference to the lives of women and children who have been affected by domestic abuse, providing them with safe and confidential accommodation, the whole purpose of our work is to empower individuals using a person centred approach. Last year 2019/20 we accommodated 63 women and 83 children and the helpline received 378+ calls these calls are a lifeline for many people who are suffering domestic abuse including men.
Thinking about the pandemic and who you have helped, have you learnt anything from your experience?
At the beginning of lockdown, staff members were unable to work on-site and were required to work remotely, for a service that provides so much face to face support the prospect of remote working was incredibly nerve wracking for staff and clients alike, we managed daily group calls which reassured clients and ensured their basic needs were met whilst also updating them on any government guidelines, counselling 3 times a week and calls from their individual key workers, we know it can be done.
What has been a highlight for your group, service or organisation so far?
There have been many highlights for us over the last 5 months. Being one of the 1st refuges in the country to be back up and running safely since lockdown was imposed although we never closed. We have won domestic abuse awards regionally and nationally and also funding secured from multiple funding streams including Lloyds Foundation Community Fund, National Lottery, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and County Durham Community Foundation. But a big thank you to the local community for their overwhelming ongoing support. We were also very grateful to our local MP Peter Gibson for the tribute he paid to us in parliament recently.
What are your hopes for the future?
We hope to continue to support women and children who have been affected by domestic abuse but hopefully with a new larger refuge that would be self-sustaining and eco-friendly as our current build sadly just isn’t big enough.
Our future as a charity is looking bright despite some difficult days brought about by Covid-19. We are stronger as a charity for surviving the challenges that this experience levelled at us all. We have taken many positives from this experience, innovated and adapted to move forward in what is becoming our ‘better normal’. As a charity about to enter our 45th year of existence we remain committed, in spite of Covid-19, to our primary purpose of providing refuge for women and children fleeing domestic abuse to help them rebuild and move on with their lives.
Do you have a message or words of encouragement for anyone who needs help or may be worried about lock down restrictions easing?
Don’t be afraid to seek support and get the help you need, we and many other organisation are still here and will continue to do so. Our helpline (01325 364486) is open 8-6pm Mon-Fri & 9-1pm Saturday. This will continue should further lockdown be imposed.
