A SERVICE offering safe, confidential, in-person support to victims of domestic abuse in Wirral is moving to new premises.

From Monday, Wirral's Domestic Abuse Hub will be based at The Lighthouse Centre, Birkenhead, providing a wide range of support available to families and individuals.

It will operate in a shared working space, bringing council workers in the children and young people's department together, alongside partner organisations including Merseyside Police, local charity Involve Northwest (the building's owners), the Paul Lavelle Foundation, Ferry Families group and more.

The aim is to create a strengthened domestic abuse offer for local communities, where survivors can access a range of support in one place.

Support is available for people of all genders as well as for children, young people and families.

Cllr Yvonne Nolan, chair of Wirral's adult social care and health committee, said: "When we launched the Domestic Abuse No Excuse Strategy in November 2020, one of our key priorities was to be there when we're needed.

"We listened to people affected by domestic abuse who told us how important it is to have a community venue where they can walk in, speak to someone who will listen without judgement and help them access the services and support they need and want.

"The Hub will do just that, making varied support for survivors becomes more easily accessible.

"These support options include counselling, legal support drop-ins and in-person support groups.

"This move is in line with our strategy, where, after a wide consultation with key stakeholders including survivors of domestic abuse, partners agreed that services must brought together into a single 'hub'.

"According to national domestic abuse charity Safe Lives, victims frequently have at least 50 incidents of domestic abuse before they leave their partner.

"Bringing people into the Hub is an opportunity to support all survivors at the earliest point, in a safe community setting."

Additionally, there are a whole host of other offers that can be accessed by clients from this location, such as a coffee area, space to bring young children and The Lighthouse Centre (family drop-in centre).

Justine Molyneux CEO at INVOLVE Northwest and Chair of Wirral's Domestic Abuse Alliance, said: "We are keen to shape a collaborative offer with the Council's domestic abuse services working alongside our own support options and services at Involve.

"Creating the right environment was essential in providing a person-centred approach to domestic abuse and to allow individuals and families a safe space to talk and look at what options and support are required."

The Lighthouse Centre is housed within The Community Village (formerly named Royal Standard House).

The building itself has recently undergone work to ensure that it complies with COVID-safety guidelines, including improvements of ventilation, removal of desks to allow room for social distancing and the addition of hand sanitising stations.

Justine Molyneux continued: "It's been a long journey, with lots of Ts to cross and Is to dot, but we will finally be able to bring some of our staff and partners back together, to provide these valuable services for Wirral."

For more information about The Community Village, The Lighthouse Centre, opening times and timetables, visit: https://involvenorthwest.org.uk/