Swindon’s domestic abuse support to change from October
Swindon Borough Council’s decision to award the contract for the management of the town’s refuge, as well as support for victims of domestic abuse within the local community, away from the town’s specialist charity, Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS), will result in the loss of the current integrated service supporting victims and preventing offending.
For the last 50 years SDASS, which is known officially as Swindon Women’s Aid, has worked across the town to support victims of domestic abuse and has launched a number of celebrated initiatives to tackle the root cause of domestic abuse through education, awareness and early intervention.
The charity, which was set up in Old Town in 1974 by Jenni Manners, has managed the refuge and community support on behalf of Swindon Borough Council since 2012. Just last month, it achieved the highest possible accreditation of the quality of service they provide to victims of domestic abuse from national organisation Women’s Aid.
In January of this year, Queen Camilla visited the charity to mark its anniversary year and found out first-hand how the innovative programmes were helping change the future of domestic abuse. Through working to rehabilitate perpetrators, as well as working with local schools and within the community to teach young people about healthy relationships, Swindon Women’s Aid / SDASS’ expert team is already working towards a future where society doesn’t tolerate abuse. The charity also works with businesses nationally to provide training and advise on domestic abuse policy to ensure that any victim has the support to free themselves.
Nicky Alberry, Chair of Swindon Women’s Aid, trading as SDASS, said: “We are extremely disappointed with the result of Swindon Borough Council’s tendering process, and stand with other local charities who have to deal with the tendering processes, which we believe to be flawed.
“We wholeheartedly recognise the need for a competitive tendering process to ensure that the people of Swindon receive the best service. However, we have raised concerns over the transparency and robustness of the process we have taken part in that have not been allayed.
“In our opinion, Swindon Borough Council’s procurement process is in need of rapid change, before people in need in our community, and the local charities that support them, are further impacted by their decisions.
“Our focus is now on looking towards the future, and supporting our fantastic staff and families in the refuge and in the community to transition to the new provider.
“Swindon Women’s Aid / SDASS has always provided a range of support and programmes, alongside the refuge and working in the community. Following the tender decision we did, as a matter of course, have to look closely at whether we would need to close the charity. However, thanks to funding we have secured outside of this contract and support from the community through fundraising and our Survivor@SWA charity shop, we are in a good position for the future. With strong leadership from our Senior Management Team, supported by the Board of Trustees, we will continue to grow and deliver these additional services developed independently of this contract. Our commitment remains, as it has been for the last 50 years, to the victims of domestic abuse across Swindon.
“We will continue our Open2Change programme working with perpetrators of abuse, which has already seen excellent results since launching in 2019. Additionally, our work with children and young people, in the community as well as in local schools, is helping the next generation identify unhealthy behaviours so that their future relationships can be as positive as possible. Our business consultancy and training service has also helped ensure that the thousands of employees of the organisations we have worked with have the right support and guidance available to them when they need it.
“As Queen Camilla said when she visited the charity earlier this year, there’s something special here and we will continue in our mission of bringing an end to domestic abuse.”
Ends
Editor’s notes – for additional information please contact Eleanor Butler, Vox PR, on 07775 943 085 or eleanor@voxonline.co.uk
ABOUT SDASS: Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service is the trading name of Swindon Women’s Aid, registered charity number 1175148.
The service is free and confidential, serving Swindon and the surrounding area. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, supporting ALL victims of domestic violence.
Originally founded in 1974 as Swindon Women’s Aid, SDASS currently operates a purpose-built secure refuge with 22 individual flats which can accommodate lone females or mothers with dependent children and has a dedicated team of trained staff. In the community SDASS has a network of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) who work with victims not staying in the Refuge, and have Advisors within the Great Western Hospital, Doctor Surgeries and Health Centres across the town.
A specialist Children and Young People’s team supports the specific needs of children both within the Refuge and also in the Community. Our Training Programmes not only help victims understand their situation to help them move forward but also provide general education to young people about healthy relationships.
Increased emphasis is being placed on prevention and a new team has been established to advise those who have concerns about their behaviour and its impact on their relationships.
Our fundraising shop in the Parade in Swindon is open 6 days a week, staffed entirely by volunteers – quality donations always welcome.
Our dedicated helpline – 01793 610610 – is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The phone is always answered by an advisor.
