Local residents from the Derby Women’s Refuge have a reason to celebrate, after passing a range of different qualifications.
Derwent Living, who own and manage the refuge, teamed up with local Derby college, Castle College and gave residents the chance to gain qualifications in a range of subjects, such as numeracy, literacy, ICT, and programs in drug and alcohol awareness back in 2008.
The sixty-six women, who are either current or former residents at the refuge that offers accommodation and support to women and children who are fleeing domestic violence, have all recently completed their courses with flying colours. This further gives the ladies a real chance to move into employment or further education. For some of them this is their first qualification, an honor the majority of the population takes for granted.
Derwent Living Refuge has been established for 16 years now and still continues to provide endless support and services that are particularly beneficial to children. The largest refuge of its kind in Derby and the only one offering self contained flats, the refuge can look after up to 15 families at a time and is supported by the community through cash, clothes, toy and furniture donations.
Since 1993, the refuge has helped more than 2000 women with children. It is also home to a specialist unit called the butterfly project that aims to offer a refuge for women with drug addictions and alcohol dependency.