a hand of friendship for domestic abuse survivors and children

Women who work for one of the North East’s largest housing associations have been showing their support for domestic abuse survivors and their children. 

Almost 20 colleagues from believe housing came together to help women being supported by Harbour, Wear Valley Women’s Aid and Durham Action on Single Housing (DASH). 

They used one of their four paid volunteering days – on International Women’s Day – to freshen up gardens and paint fences at the charities’ refuge sites in County Durham.
They were joined by women from construction and regeneration business RE:GEN Group, which provided the outdoor materials. 

And donations from other believe housing contractors, Buston & Maughan, Sunter Limited, and Sendrig Construction, were used to provide toiletry hampers for women and soft toys and Easter treats for their children. Easter eggs were also donated to local foodbanks. 

Ruth Dent, Director of Assets and Compliance at believe housing, said: “This was a day for women to work together and do something positive, to show support for other women.  

“The cost of living is having an impact on everyone, and we know women in the refuges don’t always have enough to pay for essentials for them and their children let alone toys and treats that many take for granted at Easter time.  

“We were delighted to offer our time, and appreciate the support of our partners, to hopefully make a difference to those living in difficult circumstances.”