April 2, 2026
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Women’s Centre Cornwall to Lead Safer Futures Domestic Abuse Service
The Women’s Centre Cornwall is pleased to confirm that, from1st April 2026, we are leading the delivery of the Safer Futures domestic abuse service for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, in partnership with Barnardo’s, and alongside specialist providers: Konnect Communities, West Cornwall Women’s Aid, IntercomTrust, The Olive Project and CLEAR. Together, we provide specialist expertise, strengthening the support available across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly for all.
This marks an important step in our continued development ofdomestic abuse support. As an organisation with over 30 years of experience supporting women and families affected by domestic abuse, this work sits firmly at the heart of what we do. As we mark our 30th anniversary this year, we are proud to continue providing specialist, trauma-informed support to those who need it most.
In 1999, we placed Domestic Violence Support Workers in Police Domestic Violence Units, which then grew into the Cornwall Independent Domestic Violence Service, employing some of the first IDVAs in the country.
This history reflects our long-standing role in developing and delivering domestic abuse services in Cornwall, and our experience inproviding Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) support, which continues through Safer Futures today.
You can read more about Our Story here.
About Safer Futures
Safer Futures is the domestic abuse support service for anyone affected by domestic abuse in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Safer Futures is for women, men and children – people of all ages and genders.
We provide flexible, inclusive support that ensures people receive the right level of support at the right time – from immediate crisis support when someone is at risk through to long-term recovery and wellbeing.
Our focus remains unchanged: ensuring that every individual receives the right support at the right time, whether they are in immediate crisis or beginning their journey towards recovery.
Safer Futures can support you if:
• You are feeling unsafe
• You are concerned about someone else’s safety including a child or young person
• You are worried about your own behaviour
• You want to strengthen your emotional wellbeing after domestic abuse
• Or, you have been affected by domestic abuse in any way
Safer Futures offerscompassionate, non-judgmental help and support.
What do we offer?
The Safer Futures service includes:
Along with our specialist partners, The Women’s Centre Cornwall will be delivering the Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) service.
· Independent Domestic ViolenceAdvocates (IDVAs): IDVAs are specialists who provide advice and support with safety planning,understanding risks, and provide guidance on housing, practical options and next steps. They also provide emotional support and work in a way that empowers people to make their own choices. They can provide advocacy with other agencies and support through criminal or civil justice processes where needed. An IDVA helps co-ordinate support, so victims don’t have to repeatedly share their experiences.
Our fellow lead partner, Barnardos, will be delivering the following services aspart of Safer Futures:
· Healthy Relationship Foundation Programme(HFP): The eight-week group programme helps individuals build safer,healthier, and more fulfilling relationships. It provides a calm, confidential space to explore selfcare, relationship patterns, and emotional wellbeing. Using a trauma-informed approach, HFP supports adults who have experienced unhealthy or unsafe relationships, or who want to understand their own behaviours.
· Domestic Abuse Support Groups (TheSUsie Programme): SUsie groups offer a compassionate space to connect with others, find hope, and begin rebuilding confidence. The Support Group is the first step, followed by the 12Week Recovery Tool Kit, which is a strengths based programme that helps individuals regain independence and develop practical, empowering strategies for the future. Together, these groups focus on long term wellbeing by addressing the lasting effects of domestic abuse and providing tools for empowerment towards a healthier, more resilient life.
· Trauma Stabilisation and 121 Domestic Abuse Recovery & Counselling: The 6 Week Trauma Stabilisation programme provides short term, practical support to helpindividuals regain a sense of safety and emotional balance after experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence. It focuses on understanding trauma responses, building coping strategies, and strengthening everyday wellbeing. For those needing more personalised support, 1:1 Domestic Abuse Recovery offers compassionate, guided sessions that help rebuild confidence and stability at a comfortable pace.
· Help for children and young people: The Reconnect Domestic Abuse Recovery Programme is designed to provide essential support for children and young people aged 5-17 years who have experienced domestic abuse. The programmehelps young people rebuild their confidence, resilience, and emotional well-being.
· Support for people who are worried about their own behaviour: We offer support and guidance to build positive relationship habits for anyone who recognises they may have unhealthy ways of dealing with relationships. We also support children and young people who display abusive and violent behaviours at home. Our programmes also offer guidance for parents and carers.
· Healthy Relationships education: We are committed to changing socialnorms that allow domestic and sexual abuse to persist. By providing high-quality, meaningful, healthy relationship education, we aim to create a generational shift, reducing domestic abuse and sexual violence in society.
· Training: Safer Futures offers a range of specialist domestic abuse training courses for professionals. These sessions deepen understanding, and strengthen the skills needed to provide effective, informed support.
You can read more about Our Programmes here.
What is changing?
For people accessing support, this remains very much business as usual. Safer Futures continues to provide a single, coordinated pathwayfor anyone affected by domestic abuse.
There is no interruption to the service and referrals should continue to be made. This service builds on Cornwall’s existing domestic abuse provision, with several improvements and updates.
The Women’s Centre Cornwall remains committed to providing safe, compassionate and expert support to those affected by domestic abuse.This work is central to our mission, and we are proud to continue leading it across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
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