A Yorkshire-based domestic abuse charity has announced its closure due to funding cuts.
Vida Sheffield, a local charity in Sheffield that provides therapy services for women and girls who have experienced abuse and trauma, stated that it will close its doors at the end of March 2025.
The charity said it is “proving impossible” to continue its services, which need around £250,000 per year to maintain, as competition for grant funding and donations has increased in recent years.
It initially warned it may have to close last year but kept going for another 12 months after launching a petition.
The charity’s total gross income dipped from £244,000 at the end of 2022 to £214,000 at the end of 2023, while its total expenditure increased from £210,000 to £213,000 over the same period, according to its latest accounts.
‘So disheartening’
Vida Sheffield, which provides free trauma-informed therapy to around 250 women and girls per year, launched a petition for emergency council funding In November 2023 when it was at risk of closure due to funding cuts.
The petition collected over 27,000 signatures, including support from a local councillor, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and national charity Women’s Aid.
Vida chair Marilyn Gregory said: “It is so disheartening to find ourselves with no prospect of sustaining our services and it feels like we are letting down those women that have no alternatives.”
Chief executive Karen Hague said: “It is shocking that long-term mental health recovery does not form part of any strategy going forward even though the Sheffield domestic abuse coordination team report noted the shortage of therapeutic services for domestic and sexual abuse and that trauma impacts on emotional health and wellbeing with knock-on effects on employment, relationships and the ability to positively contribute.”
Clinical manager Jane McLaren said: “Although it has been a very difficult year, we are very proud that we have continued to develop our service and we added two new groups to our pathway, the Wellness Recovery Group and the chronic pain support group.
“The incredible team of trauma-informed therapists have been amazing in keeping the service going over the last 12 months despite all of the challenges we’ve faced and I’ve found them and our service users inspirational in their drive to support our service.”
Gemma, a service user representative, said: “It was such a relief to learn that the Vida did not have to close its doors in January 2024, but it needs guaranteed multi-year grant funding to continue helping women survivors of abuse.
“We know that without Vida there will be more pressure on the NHS and it can’t cope either. I am afraid for those women, like me, that need Vida.”
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