Dorset Council is supporting Hart District Council who are leading an innovative project to prevent domestic abuse and support victims across Dorset and Hampshire. They recently secured £974,450 of additional funding, which follows a similar award in 2018. This new funding means that the success of Dorset’s Dragonfly Project provided by the You Trust will continue to operate in the county for another 12 months.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety said, “We are really pleased to have secured this additional funding to help people affected by domestic abuse in Dorset.

“It’s important that vulnerable people are reached early. I’m pleased that we are taking on new initiatives from Hampshire, as well as sharing our work with them. This is proving to be making a difference in helping to keep people safe across our communities.”

The funding has been awarded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to continue work focused on early intervention and education, breaking down barriers faced by those in our most hard to reach communities and support people experiencing domestic abuse and keep them safe in their homes. Since starting, the project has already trained more than 170 champions across Dorset, made nearly 100 homes safer and increased awareness across health services and the community.

Kirsty Jenkins, Head of Community Services at Hart, said, “I have seen the huge impact that these schemes have had on people’s lives and it is very exciting to know that we will be able to continue this successful work in Hart, and across Hampshire and Dorset.”  

Partners involved include Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner and the You Trust.

Anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse can contact the confidential, free 24 hour helpline on 0800 032 5204 or by visiting www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/dvahelp.