CREWE-BASED housing association The Guinness Partnership is offering a helping hand so a local domestic abuse charity can expand its services.

The housing provider is working with My CWA (formally Cheshire Without Abuse) to help its residents, and other people in Cheshire, who are experiencing domestic abuse.

My CWA was founded in Crewe in 1977 by the late Lily Jones. Now, 44 years later, the charity delivers a range of support including providing safe temporary accommodation, counselling services and support groups for people who have experienced domestic abuse, as well as therapeutic programmes for children and young people.

Last year, the charity supported over 1,500 people across Cheshire who were affected by domestic abuse.

Through this new partnership with Guinness, My CWA will receive support which will enable them to provide a twice-weekly consultation clinic, to provide advice to domestic abuse professionals on how to best support those with complex needs.

The support will also help the charity to offer grants of up to £200 to support families affected by domestic abuse as well as care packages. During the first lockdown My CWA delivered over 250 of these, which included activity and colouring packs for children and information about how to keep safe and who to go to for help if they don't feel safe.

Alex Wrigley, Domestic Abuse Lead at the Guinness Partnership said: "We are extremely pleased to be partnering with My CWA to provide a valuable service to those who need it, including any of our residents and the wider community, to enable them to get the help they need, when they need it."

Vicky Sail, Operations Manager at My CWA said: "During the pandemic pressures on families have been intense, and we have seen a significant increase in referrals.

"This funding will allow us to provide practical support for families, and equip other professionals with the knowledge to increase safety for victims and children, as well as supporting behaviour change in those who may be harming in their relationships."

Guinness's commitment to helping victims of domestic abuse also includes developing a Domestic Abuse Support Toolkit in collaboration to educate and raise awareness of people working in customer-facing roles.