Cheshire East Council agrees extension with domestic abuse charity to support refuge accommodation
A lifeline for victims of domestic abuse has been given a boost.
Cheshire East Council has agreed a 12-month extension to its refuge provision contract with MyCWA.
This will enable the charity to continue providing 16 units of accommodation in the borough.
Saskia Lightburn-Ritchie, chief executive officer of MyCWA, said: "We welcome this extension of refuge accommodation funding, which will allow us to continue supporting vulnerable families and individuals to escape and heal from abuse."
MyCWA is one of the country's longest-serving domestic abuse charities, having been set up in 1977.
Today, the charity offers a 24/7 crisis helpline, emergency refuge accommodation, specialist trauma recovery programmes for children, community outreach services and survivor support groups.
Last year alone these services were used by almost 4,000 vulnerable adults and children.
The extension comes as Cheshire East Council prepares its new Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy for public consultation in the coming months.
This strategy will determine a comprehensive vision for domestic abuse support across Cheshire East, extending beyond council-supported services.
By incorporating the views of the community, this strategy will guide stakeholders in ways to best support victims of domestic abuse throughout the borough, with a new redesigned model implemented from April 2026.
Saskia said: "We also look forward to the voices of the Cheshire East community being heard in the upcoming public consultation, and survivors themselves being able to help shape the future of domestic abuse support across Cheshire East."
Councillor Laura Crane, chair of Cheshire East Council's children and families committee, said: "Supporting victims of domestic abuse in Cheshire East is and remains a priority.
"Our Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit works tirelessly to ensure victims know support is always available.
"The council not only offers a comprehensive suite of services but also works hard to maintains robust relationships with local organisations."
She added: "To ensure continuity of support for victims of domestic abuse, we are extending our contract with MyCWA, ensuring adequate refuge provision for the coming year.
"During this period, we will continue to redesign our domestic abuse services to guarantee integrated support for children, young people, victims, and perpetrators of domestic abuse.
"As someone who has personally used these services, I am committed to actively promoting access to our support services and highlighting the essential and impactful work our domestic abuse team does."
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, contact the Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub on 0300 123 5101.
In an emergency, call 999.
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