THE Freedom Project, a domestic violence support charity, have announced they are expanding and providing their services across Cumbria.

Previously known locally as the The Freedom Project West Cumbria, the charity have now dropped the 'West' part of their name as they expand across the county.

'West' Cumbria Domestic Violence Support (WCDVS) or The Freedom Project 'West' Cumbria, will celebrate their 27th year of operation this May. Their work support those whose lives have been affected by abuse. They work with adult victims, children and young people and those that perpetrate abuse.

The Freedom Project's vision is to deliver effective, co-ordinated, responsive, and accessible services for victims, perpetrators and children- breaking the cycle of abuse now and for future generations. They do this by:

  • Support clients to improve their safety and security for themselves and their children.
  • Support survivors to move on, equipped with the resilience and skills to avoid future abusive relationships.
  • Support children and young people who are caught up in domestic abuse, as a victim, perpetrator, or witness, to cope with difficult situations and manage their emotional and physical responses in a healthy and positive way.
  • Support perpetrators to change their behaviour so that they cease to abuse.

Their main services consist of:

  • A confidential helpline
  • Free one-to-one a for victims: adults, CYP and perpetrators
  • Volunteer befriending and support service
  • group sessions for victims and children
  • McKenzie Friend support to those who need help, advice, and support through the family courts process. 

Vicky Pike, charity manager said: "Initially, we were established to provide counselling and support to adult victims of domestic abuse in Copeland and Allerdale. During the pandemic, we received a lot of requests for help for people outside of West Cumbria and during this time we didn’t want to turn anybody away that needed help.

"In 2024, we are officially expanding our services to cover the whole of Cumbria. We will now be known as The Freedom Project Cumbria."

There has been a reported increase in domestic violence offences within Cumbria in recent years, and Cumbria Police are also cracking down on the issue more. Figures from last year by the police reported that convictions in domestic abuse cases heard at court sat at 85.7 per cent in November 2023 which is above the national average.

Vicky Pike said: "We have seen a 10 per cent increase on demand for our services. Last year we supported 607 people. We have increased our staffing levels to help reach demand and allow people to receive immediate support once they reach out.

"We have a strategy in place to reach people in hard-to-reach areas and a communications plan to help spread awareness of our services and the help we provide."