Good causes around region share in £4m lottery windfall

AN organisation helping domestic abuse victims in Halifax is to receive a share of £4m of lottery money going to good causes across Yorkshire.

Breaking the Cycle, an initiative run by WomenCentre Ltd, will receive £440,000 which it will use to train 100 professionals including police, nurses and benefits workers to recognise the signs of domestic abuse.

Angela Everson, joint chief executive of WomenCentre Ltd, said: “The grant will enable WomenCentre to provide even more services to women and children affected by domestic abuse in Calderdale.

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“The grant will be used to employ a new team of specialist workers, one of whom will undertake direct work with children and young people.

“Working with our local partners in Calderdale across the four locality areas of the Upper and Lower Valleys, Central Halifax and North and East Halifax, we will focus on early intervention work with families to identify the early signs of domestic abuse.

“We hope this will lead to more specialist co-ordinated proactive support to prevent the escalation of violence within the family home and improve the personal safety and confidence of the women and children that we will be supporting.”

In the East Riding, Withernsea Town Council will receive £434,704 to refurbish the Meridian Centre to provide a community hub offering a range of community events such as tea dances, musical performances and cultural events along with adult education courses.

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The Hidden Homelessness’ Positive Change Project will receive a grant of almost £220,000 to help people in Calderdale, Kirklees and Leeds.

It will particularly help to fund work with young people dealing with the breakdown of family life or who have left the care system.

Other projects to benefit include the Kimberworth Park Community Partnership in Rotherham which will use a grant of more than £400,000 to update a community building known as the Chislett Centre which will see its existing spaces remodelled for modern uses.

Caroline James, from the Big Lottery Fund, said: “The Big Lottery Fund’s Reaching Communities programme is all about bringing real improvements to communities, and enabling
people to have better chances in life.

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“These grants will help to
improve the lives of so many
people and we look forward to continuing this ever important investment in the good causes which are working hard to improve the lives of those most in need.”