Charity’s £20m in 20 years to support domestic abuse victims
JOURNEY: A specially created mural depicting the story of Purple House
An award-winning domestic abuse charity is today celebrating 20 years of supporting victims.
Staff and volunteers from the Preston Road Women’s Centre, in east Hull – also known locally as the Purple House and Winner – have been supporting women and children across the city since September 2000. During that period, they have raised more than £20m for services to support victims of abuse.
The centre offers women and girls from across Hull access to domestic violence and abuse services, outreach support, nursery provision, accredited courses, a housing service, legal services, a volunteer programme and a young women’s support project. It has directly helped more than 6,000 women and engaged with many thousands more.
The centre opened its distinctive Purple House in October 2018, which was the first purpose-built women’s centre in the UK.
Lisa Hilder, treasurer and trustee, recently told The Hull Story that demand for support had soared during lockdown, with victims “imprisoned” with their abusers.
She said: “We knew what was coming and we saw a significant spike at the beginning of lockdown.
“These women were imprisoned but now they can get out to friends and family and get out to us – and they are doing. We’re running at significantly above our usual capacity.”
The charity’s achievements over the last 20 years include:
Establishing itself as a multi-purpose anchor organisation for the community on Preston Road
Working with Hull City Council to bring 56 empty homes back into use
Establishing a not-for-profit family law firm, Affordable Justice, in 2016 - the first of its kind in the country
Offering more than 200 safe homes for women and children across the city
Offering the Safe as Houses scheme for private landlords to invest ethically and offer their properties for use by the women’s centre
Developing plans for new-build properties to house vulnerable women
Winning a range of national awards for the quality of its services.
SUPPORT: Purple House, on Preston Road
Preston Road Women’s Centre plans to expand over the coming years – continuing to widen its reach and services and grow staff numbers to promote opportunities for women and support them to change their lives for the better.
To find out more, visit www.purplehouse.co.uk.