Cheshire, UK – A domestic abuse charity that has been serving the community for almost 50 years is facing the possibility of closure, leaving vulnerable adults and children without vital support services. MyCWA (Cheshire Without Abuse) has been a lifeline for countless individuals and families, providing a safe haven and resources to break the cycle of abuse. However, due to a lack of funding from Cheshire East Council, the charity’s support center in Crewe and its Macclesfield store and community hub may close by April 2025.
Chief Executive Saskia Lightburn-Ritchie expressed the devastating impact of this decision, stating, “For almost 50 years, people have fled abuse and we’d be there waiting for them. Not just to keep them and their children safe, but to help them heal and break the cycle of abuse.” MyCWA has been a crucial resource for the community, offering services such as a 24/7 crisis helpline, emergency refuge accommodation for families and their pets, specialist trauma recovery programs for children, and survivor support groups.
The charity is in urgent need of £500,000 to continue these life-saving services for the next 12 months. This amount pales in comparison to the £11 million spent on a struggling car park in Crewe, highlighting the value placed on human life. The closure of MyCWA’s support center comes at a time when domestic abuse cases are on the rise nationally, with the Office for National Statistics reporting 200,000 additional cases last year. MyCWA alone supported almost 4,000 adults and children in Cheshire East in 2024, never turning anyone away in crisis.
Lightburn-Ritchie explains the critical role of the charity’s support center, saying, “When someone finds the courage to flee abuse, they often leave with nothing. Our center provides emergency food, clothing, and safety. These aren’t just services – they’re the difference between someone staying safe or returning to danger.” Survivor Abi Blake, who received life-saving support from MyCWA after suffering critical injuries from her abusive husband, emphasizes the stakes, stating, “This charity didn’t just save my life – they gave me a future. They gave me and my sons hope. Losing these services now, when so many need them, is unthinkable.”
The closure of MyCWA’s support center and services would be a preventable tragedy, according to Lightburn-Ritchie. She urges the community to support the charity’s emergency appeal and donate at justgiving.com/campaign/savemycwa. The impact of MyCWA’s potential closure goes beyond the loss of resources – it means the loss of a lifeline for those in need.