READING-BASED LGBTQ+ charity Support U has launched a new service to help victims of domestic violence.
After the Ministry of Justice released new funding, the charity announced the new service at a launch event at the Blagrave Arms on Wednesday, June 15.
It is the first specialist domestic abuse and sexual violence support service in the Thames Valley.
Lorna McArdle, CEO and co-founder of Support U, said at the event: “Two years ago, there was a tragedy at the Forbury Gardens, where three innocent men lost their lives.
“Because the LGBT community wasn’t reaching out to the generic support services for help, we were called in to help by Reading Borough Council and Thames Valley Police.”
She welcomed guests to the launch of the service, “after 18 months of training, capacity building, and expanding our network and establishing what we needed to deliver those provisions.”
The funding for the new service was allocated by the Thames Valley police and crime commissioner, Matthew Barber.
The event also featured presentations from Support U’s independent domestic abuse and sexual violence advisors, Jamie Dewson and Oliwia Budzinska, who explained how the service would support those using it.
This was followed by an address by one of the people previously supported by the charity, who spoke about their experiences.
Ms McArdle said: “We aren’t a crisis team, but we take it upon ourselves to learn what trauma looks like when it’s presented, and how to support this,
“This bought us funding to start paying our volunteer caseworkers, and the team stepped up, wanted to learn, and wanted to be there to support our community.”
For more information, or to access Support U’s services, visit: www.supportu.org.uk
