Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service loses council funding

Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS) was first set up 50 years ago and has helped several thousand victims leave their perpetrators by offering a free secure refuge with 22 individual flats for women and children, as well as advisors and a 24-hour helpline.

At the beginning of 2024, SDASS was even visited by Queen Camilla who described the work done at the refuge as "something truly special."

But the charity says it had to 'consider closing' after finding out it would lose vital funding in October following Swindon Borough Council's tendering decision.

Tendering is the process by which an organisation invites other parties to submit proposals or bids to provide services.

From October 2024, a new outside provider, The You Trust, will be providing domestic abuse support in Swindon, while SDASS will be left with no council funding.

The charity will now rely heavily on fundraising from its charity shop following the funding loss (Image: Newsquest)

SDASS says it is determined to continue running its Open2Change programme working with perpetrators of abuse, as well as its work with young people in the community, but some services may be cut.

“We are extremely disappointed with the result of Swindon Borough Council’s tendering process, and stand with other local charities who have to deal with the tendering processes, which we believe to be flawed," said Nicky Alberry, Chair of Swindon Women's Aid.

“In our opinion, Swindon Borough Council’s procurement process is in need of rapid change, before people in need in our community, and the local charities that support them, are further impacted by their decisions.

“Our focus is now on looking towards the future, and supporting our fantastic staff and families in the refuge and in the community to transition to the new provider."

Camilla wasn't due to give a speech at the plaque unveiling, but was so moved by her visit that she chose to say a few words. pic.twitter.com/yPssBmkcZ1

— Sarah Dalton (@sarahjanesname) January 22, 2024

Conservative members of the council have also hit back against the decision, which they say "clearly disadvantaged" charities working in the town who have given residents their all.

“I am absolutely appalled at the council’s decision to award the contract for the management of the town’s refuge and support for victims of domestic abuse, away from Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS)," said Councillor Lawrence Elliott, Shadow Cabinet member for Adult Services.

"This award-winning specialist charity based in the heart of our town has been managing these vital services for the past 50 years with great success."

Councillor Gary Sumner added: “It is becoming a worrying trend – this week we heard that Swindon Carers Centre who provide vital services and support to over 5,700 carers in the town, had lost their contract after 27 years and now this."

But according to Swindon Borough Council, which has thanked workers at SDASS for all their hard work, the tendering process was a necessary legal requirement and the outcome is for the best of the town.

Swindon Women's Aid/SDASS was rated a 'gold standard' service just one month before the funding cut was announced (Image: SDASS)

"During the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of our contracts with voluntary sector service providers were extended to focus the effort of council staff and service providers on supporting the community," explained a spokesperson for Swindon Borough Council.

“The Swindon Women’s Aid contract had been in place for the maximum period possible, before we were legally required to run a competitive procurement exercise.

“This process gave other organisations the opportunity to bid for the new contract, ensuring that future service provision represents the best quality and value to residents and tax payers.

“The outcome of the procurement is that a new provider, The You Trust, will be providing domestic abuse support in Swindon from 01 October 2024.

"Having reviewed the process back in July, we are satisfied that the process was robust and fair to all bidders. Swindon Women’s Aid also reviewed this process in July.

“We recognise that this is a disappointing outcome for Swindon Women’s Aid which currently holds the contract, but we’d like to thank them for their hard work and dedication to Swindon and welcome its intention to maintain a role in supporting victims of domestic abuse in the Borough.”

SDASS will now continue to run thanks to funding secured outside of its council contract and with money fundraised at its Survivor charity shop.

But the charity is calling for Swindon Borough Council to urgently change their procurement process before more organisations are affected.