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Football boss speaks at launch of new refuge.

03/05/07

A new refuge for women and children experiencing domestic violence has been officially opened by Meg Munn, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Women and Equality. Karren Brady, managing director of Birmingham City Football Club and ambassador for Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid, was among the guest speakers at a special ceremony to celebrate the development of the new resource by Harden Housing Association, part of the West Mercia Housing Group.

The project was initiated by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, in a joint venture with Harden Housing Association and Birmingham and Solihull Women's Aid, which runs the service. The new 11-unit refuge is the first and only one of its kind in Solihull to offer emergency accommodation and support to women and children, and it has already helped numerous families since it first opened in late 2006.

The new building cost £1.2 million to complete, of which £892,000 came from a Housing Corporation grant. Facilities include three studio flats, six one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom apartments, a communal lounge, kitchen, children's play area, quiet-room and a prayer room.

West Mercia - Harden Housing began work on the project in September 2004. Jason MacGilp, director of Harden Housing Association, said:

"We are delighted to have been involved in the development of this very important community facility and its ongoing management. Facilities like this really do make a difference and offer the support, advice and help that women and their children need to take the first steps towards breaking away from domestic violence."

Domestic violence currently claims the lives of around two women a week in the UK and affects millions more. One in four women may be a victim of domestic violence during their lifetime and approximately one in nine of all women are currently living with domestic violence.

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