April has been an unusual month for Safespots, as I am sure it has been for everybody else. We have seen huge increases in the number of people making contact with us, a much greater variety in the types of calls we are getting and a spike in people suffering greatly as a result of the Governments Covid-19 lockdown measures.

We have seen the closure of our doors for the longest time since opening the Safespots centre 4 years ago but, we still remain 100% committed to supporting women and families in our community. In April, we supported over 180 women and families and delivered 24 supplies of food and toiletries to homes across south Manchester.

We have seen nationally a huge rise in calls to domestic abuse services and Safespots is no different. Calls to our service have increased by 162% during lockdown. The nature of the calls has been slightly different to what you may expect. We have more people contacting the service asking for help around ex partners harassing them, difficulties around child contact and probably the most prominent, people struggling with their mental health during this difficult time. We are not seeing an increase in people stuck in the house with an abusive partner wanting to get out. We know this is happening, we know this need is there but, the lockdown makes it very difficult for women to reach out to services when they are stuck in the same place as their abuser.

At Safespots, we anticipate this increase in calls will continue, we also anticipate that post lockdown we will see numbers continue to increase as women are able to get out and access services slightly more easily.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has donated to Safespots so far, this has enabled us to support families who have been struggling with practical things such as food or things for their kids to do during lockdown. These funds have made a real difference to a large number of families. We would also like to thank our partners across Wythenshawe who continue to remain committed to helping our community through this difficult time.

We want women to know we are still here, if you need help and support please contact us on 07873889637 or alternatively, you can email info@safespots.org.uk.

Wythenshawe Safespots have some very exciting news!

After a year long application process we are excited to announce that the National Lottery Community Fund have awarded us five years core funding.

Our main costs, of staffing our fantastic team who support women day in day out, and keeping our drop in centre open so we are in the heart of the community when women need us, will now be covered by the National Lottery until 2024. This means all fundraising efforts and donations can be focused on providing extra services and support to women.

This will make a huge difference to local women and will ensure that this vital service will continue for at least five years.

We would like to send our heartfelt thanks on behalf of local women, our hardworking staff and trustees to everyone who plays the National Lottery for helping us to help keep women safe.

You can find out more at www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk 

Join us for an evening of Northern Soul and Motown. With an optional 70s fancy dress contest for just £2 extra on the night, boogie the night away in retro style!

With a raffle and chances to win big prizes throughout the evening, help us raise funds to help this vital charity to support local women. Event tickets are £10 each and all proceeds go to Wythenshawe Safespots.

Buy Tickets Here

Wythenshawe Safespots are excited to present a night of live music from Manchester’s very own Pete Eavers on Friday 10th May 2019, 7pm at Northenden Social Club.

Pete Eavers is a singer/songwriter who has been playing in bands and as a solo artist around Manchester for more years than he would like to would admit to. For this special night, Pete’s put together an eclectic mix of classic hits from the likes of Oasis, The Drifters, Don Maclean, James, The Kinks and many more. We challenge you not to be singing along and maybe even strutting your stuff within moments…

Once we have you singing along, stay with us and show you have what it takes on the Karaoke and dance into the night!

Tickets are just £10 and the price includes entry and snacks. We will have a raffle on the night, raising funds to support survivors of domestic abuse and gender based violence from Wythenshawe and the surrounding area.

If you aren’t able to come along but would still like to donate to help Safespots with our ongoing work please visit our Just Giving Page

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The Manchester Evening News have, this week, published the heartrending and inspirational story of one of our Safespots women:

‘Helen Hayes never imagined that she would become a victim of domestic abuse. As a ‘middle-class’ woman working as a director at blue chip firms, she said the notion had never even entered her mind.

But by the time her husband was screaming at her during a Boxing Day row about a dirty cereal bowl at their Cheshire home, she felt like she had lost herself.’

Just weeks after her husband was convicted of assaulting her and her son – who was then a child, she said:

“I want people to stop thinking ‘this will never happen to me’. It can happen,”

“Don’t be smug because it overwhelms you and it overwhelmed me.

“I thought ‘this will never happen to me. Because I’m a strong woman who has good, ‘middle-class’ jobs, a ‘middle-class’ life – all of that. I was wrong.”

Helen Hayes

In the wake of her marriage breakdown, Helen turned to the drop-in group Wythenshawe Safespots.

The campaign is led by a group of domestic abuse survivors and works to provide women with legal advice and emotional support if they are fleeing domestic violence.

Since 2016, Safespots has supported over 1,300 women who have experienced domestic abuse.

“There is nothing else like it for people like me in the area. They were the only people who listened.

“Safespots found me a paralegal with proper experience. I knew it was a drop-in centre and I could go there for help.

“We need this kind of service across the country because it’s sensible, safe and secure.”

Helen Hayes

READ MORE

Image and Editorial Credits: Manchester Evening News