PLANS for a new centre to support vulnerable women in Bridgwater received a welcome boost this week after the Ministry of Justice announced £172,000 toward the project.
The Somerset Women's Centre, run by The Nelson Trust, will be the only community-based one-stop-shop for women who are experiencing multiple disadvantage in Somerset.
Specially trained staff support women across nine pathways, including offering housing advice, education programmes and support with substance misuse.
Niki Gould, head of women’s community services said: “We are currently working with 150 women across Somerset, and this new centre will mean we can benefit around 400 women in Somerset by the end of 2019.
"Our women are surviving abuse, exploitation and life-long trauma."
Commenting on £3.3m of Ministry of Justice funding for nationwide projects, justice minister Edward Argar said: “I am delighted to announce the allocation of the first wave of funding and hope it will pave the way for vulnerable women to receive the additional specialist support they need.
“Evidence shows short sentences often fail to break the cycle of reoffending and we have set out in our strategy a desire to divert women away from custody wherever possible."
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