SDASS celebrates over 1,000 survivors of domestic abuse through the Swindon refuge
The team behind Swindon’s refuge for women fleeing domestic abuse has started to count the effect on the town as they are preparing to hand over the keys to the new providers.
Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS) has supported victims in the town for 50 years and has managed the town’s refuge on behalf of Swindon Borough Council since it was purpose-built 12 years ago, before that looking after the former refuge in Park South from 1980.
The refuge provides a safe space for women, often accompanied by children, to escape their abusers, receive the counselling and support they need to recover and prepare for life without abuse. Over the last 12 years, over 650 families have called the refuge their home, including around 850 children. Over recent years the average stay in the refuge has reached nine months, in which time women and their children all received tailored one to one support to help them overcome the trauma they experienced.
Nicky Alberry has been Chair of SDASS since 2018 and has helped drive the charity to deliver integrated, community-focussed support for victims. In addition to having delivered refuge and community-based support on behalf of Swindon Borough Council, SDASS has shaped and delivered standalone support programmes specifically for female and male victims in the community, children and young people, and targeted intervention for those who are responsible for the abuse.
The refuge, which is one of only a few in the country to provide women and their families with their own dedicated apartments, has been transformed into a welcoming and safe environment, also thanks to the efforts of a team of volunteers. The refuge has a proud team of volunteer ‘Garden Gnomes’ who have created and maintain an outdoor sanctuary for adults and children in the refuge’s garden. Additionally, dedicated teams from local businesses are regular volunteers ensuring that the upkeep and maintenance of the building is of top quality.
Nicky explained: “As we prepare to say goodbye to the families in the refuge, as well as our wonderful staff team who will remain there too, we’ve looked back at all that we’ve achieved over the last 12 years. I am so proud of everyone who has made such a difference to thousands of lives across Swindon through our work in the community and in the refuge.
“Not only did we show Her Majesty The Queen exactly what makes us so special earlier this year, but we’ve also harnessed the power of the Swindon community by creating an enthusiastic network of volunteers and business ambassadors throughout the town, as well as receiving outstanding support from the public in our charity shop. This network not only made our refuge homely and welcoming, but also helps to amplify the message that domestic abuse must be stopped.
“Our wonderful Board of Trustees has helped ensure that the charity is strong for the future and helped us achieve the top accreditation from national domestic abuse charity, Women’s Aid, that demonstrates that our support and service is of the best in the country.
“We may be stepping away from looking after families in Swindon’s refuge, but we will continue working with victims and survivors across the town through education, early intervention and training.”
