Crucial talks which could help establish a new women’s refuge in Carlisle have begun.

An informal working group has now been set up to establish if and where there are gaps in existing domestic violence services, both in the city and across the county.

It follows the closure of Carlisle Women’s Refuge, in Warwick Square, at the end of March.

The building had previously provided a secret haven for those fleeing domestic violence.

However, following changes to the funding system, owner Impact Housing decided not to re-tender for the contract.

Council chiefs insist that those who find themselves homeless as a result of abuse will be given emergency accommodation elsewhere, and that support services are still there for them.

But campaigners fear that without a dedicated refuge, some women will not get the help they need.

In response to the closure, a group of community figures came together to organise urgent talks.

A meeting has now taken place between campaigners, Cumbria County Council, Carlisle City Council, Impact Housing and other interested parties. The 16 people present also included representatives from other support services, the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and some victims.

The talks resulted in an informal working group being formed to look in more detail at the services already available, where more support is still needed and whether that is in the form of a refuge.

Eleanor Hancock, of Carlisle’s Holy Trinity Barnabas churches, is well known for her work to help those affected by domestic violence and is among those who set up the meeting.

She said: “I think it was really worthwhile. What we all agreed was that if we are going to do something, it has to be based on need and evidence. I feel very positive about that.”


The Rev Eleanor Hancock The Rev Hancock added that they want to look at the provision across the county, to ensure the right services are in place, in the right locations, to meet everyone’s individual needs.

The previous refuge building is no longer available, so reopening on the same site is not an option.

The next step will see Carlisle City Council convene a meeting to discuss the available support for victims in the city, which will also include visits to the accommodation that is currently being used.

But the group said accommodation for victims is only part of the problem, with the provision of adequate support also vital in restoring balance in the lives of survivors of domestic violence.

It was agreed that there was a need to collect evidence of the demand for these services as well as the nature of appropriate support.

This will form the basis of a future meeting to include a list of requirements and resources to further the county wide provision.

A spokesman for the working group said: “We had a full and detailed report on how the current situation had come about and listened to some inspiring examples of work that was taking place across Cumbria already.

“It is important for victims to understand that support is available despite recent events. The intention now is to develop this across the whole of Cumbria and learn from existing good practice.”