Threat Of Closure For Women's Aid Centres

Two information centres in Wales may be forced to close due to lack of funding, it has emerged.

The Colwyn Bay Women's Aid office and the charity's drop-in centre in Llandudno are said to be under pressure due to rising costs, and are struggling to secure grant aid.

The two centres under threat are said to be vital in providing assistance to victims of domestic abuse.

However, the Welsh assembly government said that funding to tackle domestic abuse had already been increased.

Cheryl Dixon, project coordinator for Aderconwy Women's Aid, said: "A lot of women who report to us will not tell the police and we provide a vital link for them.

"Our funding from Conwy County council has not increased for six years while our costs in terms of rents and other bills have risen."

She added: "We have already had to make two workers redundant in the last year and our office is now under threat unless funding is increased."

Ms Dixon also said funds were urgently required for an outreach worker, to work with women and children.

An outreach worker would support women on a number of matters ranging from setting up new homes, to arranging court appearances. Currently, the worker is employed for 10 hours a week, and Ms Dixon said it is not sufficient.

"We do more than this already because the women need us, but we would like to do more still," she added.

An urgent meeting has been arranged for today, with the relevant Conwy County councillors in attendance.

Cllr Phil Edwards, who arranged the meeting, said: "Colwyn Bay Women's Aid outreach workers were funded by central government under the Recovered Assets fund and Llundudno workers were funded by the National Lottery, both of which have dried up.

"These workers are a very important bridge between women and families suffering abuse and safe places of refuge."

(JM/KMcA)