University club aids families

Families seeking refuge from domestic violence can now stay connected thanks to support from St Andrews University students.

The university’s Lumsden Club, an all-female organisation supporting women and children’s charities, has helped Fife Women’s Aid provide internet access across its refuge accommodation.

Kate McCormack, manager at Fife Women’s Aid, said: “Thanks to Fife Council, who have rapidly responded to the lockdown and the impact of this on families experiencing domestic abuse, more women and children are now in safe accommodation.

“We are also in awe of the work of the Lumsden Club, who continue to support and fundraise for us on an ongoing basis. They have increased their efforts during lockdown to fund the installation of internet in our refuges.”

Fife Council recently provided six more refuges for women fleeing domestic abuse after a surge in demand during lockdown.

Fife Women’s Aid said requests for refuge accommodation more than doubled between March and April this year, from 14 to 38.

Providing internet access means 41 women and 39 children across Fife can maintain contact with family, friends and their community online. It also provides children in refuge much-needed access to schoolwork.

The roll-out of digital access was completed by Edinburghbased Commsworld in less than a week.

One woman revealed that before the internet access was provided she had not been able to afford the data package on her phone while in refuge and had been unable to have video calls with family.

Another had been forced to use an expensive pay-as-you-go contract to gain internet access so she could continue working from home.

Ms McCormack added: “Commsworld have also been fantastic throughout the entire process, creating a bespoke product that ensures each refuge comes kitted out with a 4G router in order to keep families connected.

“We are also grateful to the Women’s Fund for Scotland for awarding us a grant to purchase tablets for each refuge.”