Domestic abuse charity plans outreach service in Newmarket

Victims of domestic abuse could soon have a place to go to for help, and support, thanks to a new outreach service that hopes to set up in Newmarket in the New Year.

The proposal was outlined to town councillors at a meeting on Monday. They gave it their full support and will consider a grant application for £1,000 to help with set up costs when they meet next month.

Katherine Ahluwalia, principal operations manager of the Bury St Edmunds Women’s Aid Centre, said she hoped the service would be based at Foley House in Wellington Street and it would start with a weekly coffee morning, with creche facilities, leading to the introduction of the Voice programme which is designed to help victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

“We have spoken to a lot of people in Newmarket about the service and they have told us, you need to be here, so we know there is definitely a need,” said Katherine.

She said the Bury refuge had been operating for nearly 50 years but it was important to have the service locally.

“Eighteen months ago we set up a pilot in Haverhill because we felt people living in rural towns who need help should not have to travel to Bury, Cambridge, or Ipswich to find it. Having to manage that journey is just not possible for some women.

“We are absolutely passionate about taking services out to people and this one has been a huge success,” said Katherine. “We have been told it has been life saving.”

And once the Newmarket service is up and running, Katherine said she hoped it would lead to service users setting up their own peer support group. There would also be workshops dealing with housing and legal issues.

“We want to be able to give them the information so they can make an informed choice, and we will support then whatever they decide,” she said. “We know the best outcomes from the programme are when we have a cohort of people going through it together, supporting each other, and finishing the programme feeling empowered and stronger and better informed.”

She told councillors while the services provided by the charity were predominantly used by women, it was open to all victims of domestic abuse.

“In Suffolk currently one in three women are victims of domestic abuse and one in six men,” she said.

Town mayor Cllr Philippa Winter said: “You will be very welcome in Newmarket where, sadly, you are much needed.”