Leeds Women’s Aid this month has launched a fundraising drive for a new young people’s hub at one of the charity’s emergency refuges.

 

The new young people’s hub will provide a dedicated space for a variety of specialist one to one support, group therapy and activities, creating an uplifting environment for children and young people to visit to relax, play games or interact with other children, which will help their recovery from the impacts of domestic violence and abuse.

 

From the start of April last year to end of March this year, Leeds Women’s Aid supported over 100 children and young people in refuge settings, with almost every adult accessing the refuge service having one or more children who have witnessed or experienced the trauma of domestic violence and abuse.

 

The project will involve a major refurbishment of an existing building, this will include installing a first floor, a new kitchen, a new heating system, accessible entry and toilets and a designated sensory area for under five-year olds.

 

Nik Peasgood, CEO of Leeds Women’s Aid, said:

“When families come to our refuges, they often arrive with nothing, and although now safe, most of our young people are living with the effects of experiencing and/or witnessing domestic abuse. At a time when the Domestic Abuse Act introduced children as victims of domestic violence and abuse in their own right, we are asking the public for support to help us develop and create a brand-new children and young people’s hub to provide them with therapeutic support, time to be themselves and to have fun.”

 

If are able to make a donation towards the hub project, please do so by visiting: https://localgiving.org/LWAYoungPeoplesHub

 

Leeds Women’s Aid appreciates the tireless generosity of its supporters in helping it to make a huge difference to the families it supports.

* (Supporters can donate more than the suggested amounts should they wish.)

Leeds Women's Aid