Survivors of domestic abuse have voiced concern as a support charity faces closure.

MyCWA (Cheshire Without Abuse) has launched an urgent appeal after it was confirmed they will no longer receive funding from Cheshire East Council.

This comes after the charity was 'forced' to withdraw from a tender process which the council say was designed to improve the services available in the borough.

The potential closure of MyCWA has caused much concern for users such as Abi Blake, who received support after suffering critical injuries at the hand of her abusive husband.

She said: "This charity didn't just save my life - they gave me a future.

"They gave me and my sons hope.

"Losing these services now, when so many need them, is unthinkable."

MyCWA supported almost 4,000 women and children last year (Credit: PDR Photography)

Another survivor of domestic abuse, Gemma Bullivent, said: "People trapped in abusive relationships live daily with a gun to their and their children's heads.

"The council are pulling the trigger.

"It is a fact that the consequences of this decision will cost lives. It's terrifying."

She continued: "The outcome for myself and my children, would have been very different, without the support we received.

"I can genuinely say MyCWA saved my life.

"I have two children who still talk about the way the charity helped them and they wouldn't have been able to become the amazing young adults they are today without it.

"Having a lifeline that genuinely understands the dynamics and psychology of abuse is fundamental when leaving an abusive relationship. That's what MyCWA are."

Domestic abuse survivor Gemma Bulliven (Credit: Gemma Bulliven)

MyCWA opened its support centre in Crewe in 1977 and last year alone supported almost 4,000 vulnerable women and children.

The charity's 24/7 crisis helpline, emergency refuge accommodation, specialist trauma recovery programmes for children, community outreach services and survivor support groups are now all at risk due to a lack of funding.

Councillor Carol Bulman, chair of Cheshire East Council's children and families committee, explained that the council's budget for domestic abuse services will be the same in 2025/26 as it was in 2024/25.

To help 'enhance the quality of services' the council launched a tender process, which MyCWA chose to withdraw from in December.

Councillor Bulman said: "We commissioned MyCWA on a fixed-term contract to supplement our domestic abuse services until March 2025.

"As this contract is nearing its end, it does not require a formal notice of termination.

"The terms of the agreement clearly oblige the contract holder to provide an exit strategy to ensure the seamless transfer of services.

"MyCWA has not yet fulfilled this requirement or cooperated to provide reassurance about safeguarding the vulnerable adults and children currently in refuge under their care."

She added: "While we recognise MyCWA played an important role, they were never tasked with delivering all domestic abuse-related services across Cheshire East.

"The council provides a robust suite of in-house services, including the Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit, statutory children's services, and strong partnerships with Cheshire Police, housing providers and the voluntary sector.

"Together, these services ensure comprehensive, integrated support for children, young people, victims, and perpetrators of domestic abuse.  

"We remain committed to working closely with our partners to triage and deliver tailored services that address the complex needs of those affected."

MyCWA's Macclesfield store (Credit: Studio One Photography)

MyCWA's chief executive Saskia claims there are 'significant errors' in councillor Bulman's statement.

She said: "Firstly, she states the council's budget for domestic abuse services will be the same in 2025/26 as it was in 2024/25 but fails to mention our funding was drastically reduced from £850,000 in 2022-23 to £390,000 for April 2024-March 2025; despite increased demand for services each year. To maintain essential services, we're currently contributing £354,000 from our charity reserves - an unsustainable situation we clearly communicated to the council.

"In regards to the tender, this was for refuge services only, and we were forced to remove ourselves given the proposed amount of £150,000 per year would not have even covered staffing cost. For perspective, in 2010, refuge provision - and for fewer spaces - was contracted at £330,000.

 "She states we have 'not fulfilled the requirement of providing an exit strategy or cooperated to provide reassurance about safeguarding the vulnerable adults and children currently in refuge under their care'. This is untrue. We have in fact submitted an initial plan, but it cannot be finalised until we know where our current clients will be supported; and our repeated requests for meetings about future service provision have gone unanswered.

"The councillor promises a 'robust suite of in-house services' yet there is huge risk moving in-house to the council. As an example, while council offices closed its services over Christmas – including the teams managing domestic abuse cases - our dedicated team supported 700 people in crisis. This is the difference specialist domestic abuse support makes. Domestic abuse doesn't wait for office hours - and this is what we must protect.

"I invite Councillor Bulman to meet with us and hear directly from those who rely on our services. These are real lives at stake, and they deserve to be heard."

MyCWA's emergency funding appeal can be found at justgiving.com/campaign/savemycwa.