Adur & Worthing Councils secure £96,000 in Government funds to aid Women’s support services in West Sussex

Following a successful bid last year, Adur and Worthing Councils, in partnership with Horsham District Council; Arun District Council, Worthing Women's Aid, West Sussex County Council and Worthing Churches Homeless Project have been awarded £96,000 in funding to recruit three specialist staff to offer more support services for women across West Sussex.

Adur & Worthing Councils Wellbeing department will be working closely alongside local charities; Safe In Sussex, Worthing Churches Homeless Projects and Brighton Women's Centre to develop services for women with complex needs; for example homeless women who are experiencing abuse and or exploitation and also alcohol or drug use/ mental health issues.

Sharon Howard CEO of Safe in Sussex adds "Safe in Sussex is delighted to be granted this funding to enable us to support and reach women experiencing domestic abuse who have complex needs.  Traditionally it has been very difficult to accommodate women with complex needs in our refuge provision and this funding will enable us to have a dedicated worker who can provide additional support.  The organisation is dedicated to providing services for women experiencing domestic abuse which are innovative and this post will compliment our new community refuge which is opening in Littlehampton, as well as provide support across our confidential refuge provision."

Mary D’Arcy, Adur & Worthing Councils Director for Communities continues

“Women who have experienced domestic abuse and may become homeless as a result are some of the most vulnerable in our society. Their complex needs may mean that that sometimes fall between services, as no single service offers a safe space to recover - homeless hostels are typically mixed gender and refuges may find it difficult to support women with the range of complex needs who become homeless’’.

This award will fund three new posts; one Female Outreach worker dedicated to the rough sleeping community, supporting women at risk. A Specialist Complex Needs worker to work with the Safe In Sussex refuges group, to help women access safe female only refuge accommodation and one part time generic refuge worker to make sure that there is an appropriate ratio of staff to support a more diverse client group.”

The funding is until March 2018.