Appeal for help and supplies after Newark Women’s Aid’s refuge hit by internal flooding

After having to recover from a flood which devastated their refuge, Newark’s domestic abuse charity is now appealing for help to get back on their feet.

Now in its landmark 50th year, Newark Women’s Aid’s refuge was hit by internal flooding recently which decimated the charity’s supplies and furniture and saw the families evacuated to a nearby hotel while the damage was repaired.

The shelter was set up in 1975 after a local group of women saw the lack of provision for women and children needing to flee from domestic abuse.

The manager (who we won’t refer to by name to protect her identity), who runs the charity, got involved in 1979 after she fled from domestic abuse herself and sought the help of the refuge. After a career change in 1980, she came on board full time at the refuge at its undisclosed location in the Newark area.

Since its inception, Newark Women’s Aid has helped a staggering 5,316 women and 6,304 children seeking refuge from abuse in their safe, yet cosy home — which costs an estimated £120,000 a year to keep going, with seven families staying there at any one time.

The repairs are now almost completed to the building and the women and children are now safely back in the refuge.

As a charity, the refuge relies on the generosity of local people to keep going, and with annual costs of over £100,000 to cover gas and electricity bills, upkeep on the property, supplies, food, and more.

The manager said: “Unfortunately, domestic abuse is still out there and many people are still suffering from it and it’s never acceptable, and this is why we are here.

"This has been a major event for us and we were really struggling. But we’re still here after all these trials and tribulations.”

And now the charity has thanked the community wholeheartedly for all the support they have received over the years, but as their vital supplies were ruined by the flood water, the team are now appealing for the community’s help to get back on their feet.

“The most important thing is the support we have from the local community and businesses and people who support us, we’re so grateful for their support as we just couldn’t do it without them,” the manager said, “We also have women who have stayed with us in refuge who come and help support us when they are back on their feet which is wonderful.”

As well as appealing for monetary donations to help support Newark Women’s Aid after the flood, the charity is also appealing for donations of household items after theirs were ruined in the flood.

Just some of the items needed are things like baby products, duvets, pillows, hand and bath towels, cleaning items such as mops, buckets, brooms, cleaning products, and more. Vouchers for their women to be able to buy essentials are also gratefully received.

As most women who enter the refuge usually do so after fleeing with nothing, Newark Women’s Aid also provide each woman with a welcome pack of toiletries so donations of items such as hair bushes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, and sanitary products are also welcomed.

“All of these are vital items,” the manager said, “If people are happy to donate it means we don’t have to buy them which is a huge help.”

As for the future, she said that the charity’s main goal is to be able to keep itself going for as long as people need them.

“It’s all about talking, that’s the best medicine and getting it all out,” she said, “It takes a great deal of courage to leave and we never lose sight of that, and our support goes on after their stay with us — we’re always here on the end of the phone.”

To find out more about Newark Women's Aid, to seek help, or to make a donation towards their recovery efforts, visit newarkwomensaid.com, email newarkwomensaid@btconnect.com or call 01636 679687.

Victims of domestic abuse can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

Male victims of domestic abuse can visit https://mensadviceline.org.uk/ or call 0808 801 0327.

If you are concerned about your own abusive behaviour, visit https://respectphoneline.org.uk/ or call 0808 802 4040.

In an emergency or if your life is in danger, always call 999.