New women's refuge will help Chorley families (From Bury Times)

New women's refuge will help Chorley families

A new £2.3m women’s fefuge which will provide accommodation for victims of domestic violence from Chorley has opened its doors this week.

The refuge has now been officially opened

Fifty percent of the nomination rights will come from Preston, South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancashire to ensure that local women benefit from this new facility which is unique to the area and provides some of the best facilities of its kind in the country.

Valerie Wise Chief Executive of Preston Domestic Violence Services said: "We are delighted to be able to provide this much needed service in our region.

“This will be one of the most innovative schemes in the North West providing victims of domestic violence with the privacy they need, in self contained flats with their own front door.”

One incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute and on average, two women a week are killed by a current or former male partner. Audrey Wise House has been funded by Contour Homes, one of the region’s biggest housing and regeneration companies which has considerable experience in developing and managing supported housing accommodation across the North West.

The new facility offers 15 self contained flats,(seven three-person flats, four four-person flats and four-five person flats) so that each family can have its own kitchen, bathroom and lounge.

This will allow the facility to accommodate teenage boys and women with high support needs. One flat has also been adapted to accommodate wheelchair access.

Four flats have been earmarked exclusively for the use of Muslim women.

Specialist staff who speak Gujarati, Urdu and Punjabi will bring their extensive cultural knowledge to Audrey Wise House. of Burkahs, prayer mats and holy books.

The facility also has a communal therapy lounge, training room and one-to-one interview room. There is also a play area and garden which will be equipped with outdoor play equipment.

Valerie added: “Naturally security is a top priority and CCTV will monitor the entire building, there is a secure door entry system and the Refuge is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

The Preston Domestic Violence Services Helpline is open 24 hours a day. If you are suffering from any kind of physical, emotional, sexual, financial or psychological abuse please phone 01772 201601.