Fylde Council have approved the continued funding of a Housing Outreach Worker to engage and support victims of domestic abuse, in partnership with Wyre Council and Fylde Coast Women’s Aid (FCWA).
The post is employed by FCWA, with costs split evenly between the two local authorities, attending each for two days a week with one day at the FCWA offices in Blackpool. The service has been instrumental in providing additional advice and assistance to both male and female victims and their children fleeing domestic abuse.
The contribution of £35,690 is to be met in full by funding received from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) under Part IV Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Part of the funding will be allocated to continue the Housing Outreach Worker, with remaining funding placed into a budget for an emergency temporary accommodation provision, removal and storage costs, Sanctuary Scheme initiatives, and assistance with bond and rent in advance if other funding streams are unavailable.
In 2022/2023, the Housing Outreach Worker supported 43 clients who were referred into the specialist service, rising to 81 clients in 2023/24. As part of the project, FCWA also provide training for housing staff and other teams within both local authorities who may come across domestic abuse situations and require insight into the warning signs, the support required, and the appropriate actions to take.
If you, or someone you know, are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse, stalking or child sexual exploitation, we urge you to Fylde Coast Women’s Aid. Full contact information including helpline opening hours can be found on their website here: https://fcwa.co.uk/
Fylde Council’s Housing Team can also assist if you are at risk of homelessness or otherwise require housing advice. Find out more here: https://new.fylde.gov.uk/resident/housing/homelessness-and-housing-advice/
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