Hub to tackle domestic abuse opens its doors
ANEW hub that helps people overcome domestic abuse issues has opened in Macclesfield.
My CWA, formerly known as Cheshire Without Abuse, has opened on Jordangate, in the town centre.
The community store is run by newly-appointed manager Emma McDonald and a team of My CWA service users and volunteers.
It will sell typical charity shop items such as clothes, furniture and homeware, but will also provide other services.
The shop will be a hub for the charity’s foodbank and toiletry bank as well as host regular information days and makers markets.
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Ritchie, chief executive of My CWA, said: “This is such an exciting time for the My CWA family.
“A thriving community hub is so much more than we ever hoped for when we first started exploring the idea of opening a store in Macclesfield.
“Our foodbank, information days and makers markets help us go far beyond the typical charity store offering.
“They open up opportunities for our service users to move on from their abuse – towards a more positive future.”
The premises were opened on Friday, January 17, with Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner David Keane doing the ribbon cutting honours.
He said: “I am pleased to have been able to offer funding from my Safer Communities Fund to enable My CWA to get this project off the ground.
“It is vitally important that people have somewhere safe to access support without stigma and the new shop provides just that.
“The way MY CWA has also combined this new initiative with opportunities for volunteering and developing local networks is a fantastic idea that I’m proud to support.”
The first information day will involve the New Leaf Project, an initiative that helps women into education and employment.
Call (01270) 250390 or drop into the shop to find out more about the information days and any of the volunteering opportunities.