Jersey Women’s Refuge is marking its 35th Anniversary year by beginning a fundraising drive towards its new safe house, opening in May 2023.
Jersey Women’s Refuge (JWR) is the only independent domestic violence charity in Jersey that provides a 24-hour, confidential service which offers practical and emotional support to women and children suffering from abuse.
The move will allow the Refuge to meet the diverse needs and circumstances of:
- Up to 22 women and children at any time
- Disabled women and children with specially appointed rooms and disabled access
- Mothers with teenage boys over the age of 15 in self-contained accommodation within the house
- Mothers and children with pets
The new safe house will also provide a larger, more substantial garden for children to play within and mothers to rest with their children.
The move is expected to cost the charity approximately £130,000 and requires the purchase of furniture, fixtures and fittings to ensure mothers and children can have a safe and comfortable stay whilst seeking refuge from domestic abuse.
Lisa Leventhal, CEO of Jersey Women’s Refuge said: “This year is the right time to stop and reflect on how the organisation has evolved since 1986, to celebrate its wins, and consider how far we can go.
“It’s a time of monumental change for Jersey Women’s Refuge, as the charity grows, matures professionally and most importantly, reaches more women and children who need to access its services.
“The safe house constitutes an integral part of what we do. Last year, we supported 364 women and children across all our services, including supporting 75 women and children in the safe house. In response to needs identified amongst our users, we increased the length of the stay from 8 to 12 weeks to enable women and children sufficient time to be ready to move on independently. With this move, and the generosity of our supporters, we will be able to support women with complex needs; including disability, older-aged children and those with pets.
“2023 is our 35th year and is marked with a ‘coral’ celebration – noting the significance of coral in some cultures, symbolising protection and aligning with our fundamental objective: the protection of women and children. We greatly appreciate any donation.”
Supporters and corporates are asked to donate any value which can be attributed to a particular refurbishment package or an amount of their choice. Supporters or organisations are also welcome to donate for the value of specific items in the safe house.
