Providing supports for victims of domestic and gender violence
Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards in association with Westmeath County Council
Social Inclusion Award finalist: Esker House Domestic Abuse Support Services
Esker House has been providing a suite of services to women and children from Westmeath and the South Roscommon (Athlone) area who are being subjected to domestic abuse since it was first established by Athlone Community Services in 1982.
Among the many services they currently offer to clients are:
1. Short term crisis refuge accommodation and 24-hour support for families. This support is provided in five family spaces which are designed to meet the needs of families, big and small, and also to women without children.
2. Post-settlement support for families who have moved on from refuge.
3. A 24-hour Freefone helpline (090 6474122 or 1800 662 288) which is open 24 hours, seven day per week, throughout the year. Anyone in immediate danger is asked to call 999.
4. A community support and outreach service in the Westmeath and South Roscommon (Athlone) area.
5. Legal supports and court accompaniment for those who resident and non-resident in refuge accommodation who are pursuing legal options for protection.
6. A specialist support service children and young people affected by domestic abuse which provides a safe non-judgemental play space where children have a voice.
A very important part of the role of Esker House is to work towards societal change by creating awareness and activism of gender-based violence and abuse.
With data from Esker House highlighting a serious shortfall in their ability to be able to provide refuge accommodation for large numbers of women and children in crisis over the past number of years, they are delighted to be moving on to a new chapter in the provision of services with the recent announcement that a funding application for the provision of a new 12-unit domestic violence refuge facility for Westmeath has successfully passed the first stage.
Deirdre Berry, Head of Services at Esker House, said their nomination is a good indication of “a high level of awareness” of their work in the wider community. “It is a huge honour for us, and it is very heartening for us to see that members of the community took the time to nominate us for the services we provide.”
The Social Inclusion Award finalists are Esker House Domestic Abuse Support Services, Athlone RSC Parkrun and Coosan Men's Shed.
The Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards are in association with Westmeath County Council