DROITWICH-based SPArkles WI welcomed special guest speaker Jo Midgley to its Harvest Festival who spoke about raising awareness of the lack of women’s refuge centres across the UK.
The support services manager for West Mercia Women’s Aid detailed the charity’s vital work, highlighting there were just two refuge centres serving the whole of Worcestershire.
She said there were growing concerns about the rising closure of women’s refuge centres due to funding cuts, while underscoring the fact there were six times as many animal shelters across the UK.
She said: “Domestic violence is a lonely situation to be in and once a woman has made the decision she must leave, Women’s Aid can show her she is not alone and help her along the next step of her journey.”
She added: “It costs around £200 a week to fund a room in one of our refuges – we are a charity and often women and their children turn up at our door with just the clothes they are stood in.
“Despite this we work with partners, including the police and local authorities, to ensure every woman, when she asks, is removed from danger.”
SPArkles committee member Linda Cusack said: “This is a subject close to home for a lot of ladies so it was important to hear from Women’s Aid and how they work to provide support and education – and indeed provide a lifeline for so many.”
During the event – in keeping with the Harvest Festival theme – several WI members also donated goods, toiletries and toys for the refuge centres.
SPArkles president Karen Philpott added: “Our ladies excelled themselves and I was overwhelmed by their generosity for this worthwhile cause.”
Members of SPArkles WI meet at the Old Library, Ombersley Street East at 7pm on the first Thursday each month.
Visit www.sparkleswi.moonfruit.com for more information.
If you think you may be in danger from your partner, contact West Mercia WA on 0800 980 3331.
