COMIC Relief is set to support an East Lancashire-based charity through an £110,000 investment over the next three years in Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.
The charity, which has a telethon on Friday, March 13, will provide funding for Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Domestic Abuse Services (HARV) over the next three years.
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The money will be used to provide a young people’s independent domestic violence advisor as part of its Safer Lives programme, providing specialist support to 11-25 year old young people who face or have escaped domestic abuse with a service that will make their lives safer.
The service will aim to not only provide support at the point of crisis by providing risk assessments, safety plans and holistic support but also provide young people with the opportunity to participate in group recovery programmes.
HARV, which has an 18 member-strong team, gives support to adults, children and families living with abuse, exploitation and violence to ensure that all family members are protected.
In the last 12 months more than 1,000 victims have accessed its services, including safe houses, making homes safe, legal support, risk assessment and safety planning.
Its main funding comes from Lancashire County Council, Lloyds Foundation and the Big Lottery.
Amanda Elwen, business manager at HARV, responsible for developing the project idea and writing the application, said: “We welcome the support from Comic Relief.
“This is an opportunity to meet the needs of young people that are suffering from domestic abuse.
“This service will enable us to support very high risk young people that are at risk of significant harm or homicide.”
“The worker will work as part of our professional team and will attend the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences alongside our partner agencies such as the police.”
Nigel Evans, MP for the Ribble Valley, said: “This is great news that Comic Relief will be supporting this East Lancashire charity for the next three years.
“Domestic violence is not just physical but it is also mental and the work that HARV does helps those who are affected by such horrible experiences.”
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