THE vital work of a charity supporting domestic abuse victims will continue after receiving a funding boost from the Royal Borough of almost £100,000.

The Dash Charity, which provides specialist support to those who have experienced or witnessed domestic abuse in the borough, had its partnership contract extended by the council.

It will support an independent domestic violence advisor service, an outreach domestic abuse service and a children’s restorative programme.

The contract is valued at £97,000 and will run from April 1, 2021, to March 2022.

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From April to December 2020 the charity saw an increase in the number of enquiries into the service rise by 53 per cent to 805.

The number of people the charity supports has increased by 18 per cent overall, to 410 clients, in comparison to the period from April to December 2019.

During that period, the charity supported 105 clients in the domestic violence advisor service, 75 in the outreach service and 92 young people in the restorative programme.

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Councillor Stuart Carroll, cabinet member for adult social care, children’s services, health and mental health, said: “The Dash Charity is an absolutely crucial service in supporting victims of domestic abuse which, sadly, has seen an increase in demand for its services during lockdown.

“This funding will allow the charity to continue its valuable work in our communities, providing help to those who need it most.

“In uncertain times, financially, for charities I’m delighted the council has been able to show its support by providing this funding.”