A WIRRAL charity supporting victims of domestic abuse and those with mental health problems is at risk of closure after losing its Lottery funding.

Women’s Enterprising Breakthrough (WEB) is calling on local businesses to help save what it describes as “life-changing services” by taking part in their 20:20 initiative.

The charity, which recently moved to Gautby Road, receives no statutory funding and relies on a mixture of grant funding and fundraising by volunteers.

One of its biggest backers was the Big Lottery Fund who have supported them financially for three years.

But that funding came to an end in July and while WEB has been invited to apply for further support, staff and volunteers at the charity are working hard to close a “massive gap” in funding.

Youth and training manager Danielle Peloe said:  “Big Lottery have invited us to apply again but that can take anywhere up to a year. Between now and then, the hard work is going on in the background but we have got a massive gap in our funding.

“We have got lots of different fundraising events going on in the background by staff, volunteers and service users and we are also applying for lots of different pots of grant funding but unfortunately, because of the times we are in, lots of different services are closing.

“The Zero Centre, which worked with domestic abuse victims, closed a few months ago because is so scare and it’s really competitive for funding at the moment.”

Wirral Globe:
Lyndsay Patino and Danielle Peloe from WEB.

Set up by local women in 1993, Women’s Enterprising Breakthrough has grown from a small support network of women into a vital community based organisation that supports people through a variety of issues including domestic violence, mental health, anxiety and low self-esteem.

More than 4,000 women and their children have benefited from the centre since it started, with many of them returning as volunteers to help others gain in the same way.

Danielle told the Globe the team at WEB are determined to keep the services going and through the 20:20 campaign, they are seeking 20 companies to help raise vital funds over the next 12 months.

Each company will receive £200 from WEB’s reserves and will be asked to increase it in a variety of ways over the next year.

Activities could include bake sales, race night, fun runs or whatever else businesses can think of.

At the end of the 12 months, the funds will then be donated back to WEB to support the delivery of services to local people.

Five business have signed up so far including Argyle Taxis and Bennett Williams Solicitors.

Danielle said: “We want to encourage people to support us but we want to show that we are doing the hard work as well.

“Everybody that comes into contact with WEB whether it be service users, staff or volunteers, it has made an impact in all of our lives.

“We are absolutely determined to keep going and keep these services open because they do make a difference.”

The fundraising scheme has also seen 20 service users given £20, which they too are asked to increase over the next year.

“It’s about raising money but it’s also about fostering that attitude of backing each other in our community,” said Danielle.

“Hopefully at the end of the year we will have some funding that will go towards continuing the life changing services that we offer here at WEB and hopefully fostering some relationships to continue that in the future.

“It’s about having the opportunity to support services that make a real change for the people that live in this area.”

WEB offers development workshops, counselling sessions, group activities, days out, hollistic therapy, art and drama classes and much more.

For more information, and to find out how you can help, visit webmerseyside.org