A PROJECT providing vital support to help protect vulnerable young women and girls from domestic violence has been awarded more than £253,000.
Hessle Road Network will use the funding to educate, support and raise awareness of domestic intimate partner violence for hard-to-reach women and girls aged between 11 and 16.
Julie Robinson, chief officer at Hessle Road Network, said: "We're absolutely thrilled about the funding. It's been a lot of work, but we're really pleased to have been successful.
"It's a really important project as it's a big issue and something that effects a lot of people."
The money has come from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme, which aims to help people and communities most in need.
The project, which will involve two youth workers, will start in January and will last four years.
Ms Robinson said: "The project will be around domestic violence and confidence building.
"It is a complicated issue.
"We have become more aware about the issue for some young people and wan- ted to do something about it and how it affects people.
"I hope it will give young people the knowledge of help to avoid that situation in the first place. Or if they are in the situation, it is knowing where to go."
Staff will be working in partnership with Women's Aid and the Domestic Abuse Partnership.
The project will provide specialist support and knowledge, learning programmes, training and a range of resources.
Staff will provide one-to-one support sessions and weekly workshops and will offer young people a wide range of activities designed to increase confidence and self- esteem, such as arts and cra- fts, creative writing, sports, cookery, music and drama.
Ms Robinson said: "I'm not sure if the situation is worse or if people are more willing to talk about it.
"But when people find themselves in the situation, they need support and access to support to get out of it."
The Hessle Road Network is a community-led organisations that was formed to enable residents to actively participate in regeneration issues in their area – particularly those addressing the needs of young people.
The award is one of three made to projects across the Yorkshire area receiving a share of £458,935 from the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme, which aims to help people and communities most in need.
Tim Davies-Pugh, Big Lottery Fund deputy director, England, said: "The grants are a great example of how projects across Yorkshire are helping so many people and communities most in need.
"Hessle Road Network will provide vulnerable young girls and women in Hull with the vital help they need to escape domestic violence and move on to a more positive future."
