Dawn’s New Horizon, a charity which supports survivors of domestic abuse, has received £15,000 from South Norfolk and Broadland District Councils. Founder Dame Lorraine Curston explains how the charity helps people
In the years since Dame Lorraine Curston founded Dawn’s New Horizon in 2006, the domestic abuse charity has provided support, information and advice to thousands of women – and men. While rebuilding her life after years of abuse by her ex-husband, she noticed a real lack of local help and support for those experiencing domestic abuse that was funded and could be accessed easily.
Wanting to change this, she decided to start her own domestic violence support group, culminating in a Dawn’s New Horizon (DNH) Shop opening on Cannerby Lane, Sprowston in 2012 – raising awareness of domestic violence and supporting those affected by it in the Broadland district of Norwich. As DNH grew and began offering new services, it was decided that new larger premises were needed and, in September 2023, it re-located to a new hub a short distance away on Corbet Avenue.
DNH has received £15,000, provided through South Norfolk and Broadland District Councils’ Pride in Place and Employability grants, which will pay for a counsellor to support newly rehoused victims of domestic abuse across Broadland and South Norfolk.
Dame Lorraine Curston says: ‘Our service is bespoke to the individual and their needs. We support and empower clients as they take back control of their life. This service has proven successful in the short time we have been providing one-to-one sessions within the safety of the client’s home.
‘Speaking with individuals, they have given feedback about the service, stating that ‘it’s been life changing’. They now have a greater understanding around relationships, boundaries, their self-worth and have a better idea of who they are and where they want to be in the future.’
Since 2022, Saffron Housing have recorded 190 addresses in South Norfolk and Broadland where a member of that household has experienced domestic abuse. In just two months (December 2023/January 2024), Saffron was involved in providing advice and support to 18 tenants in the two districts.
Cabinet Member for Broadland District Council, Cllr Natasha Harpley, says: ‘By working alongside the amazing Dawn’s New Horizon and our other partners, we can offer this much-needed home-based support, during what can be a very dangerous and highly stressful time.
‘Breaking free of domestic abuse is incredibly difficult and we want survivors to feel supported and safe, while ensuring that they can access all the services and resources they need, to regain autonomy of their lives.
Cllr Harpley adds: ‘Unfortunately domestic abuse is prevalent and it can happen to anyone. Please, if you, or anyone you know is being affected by domestic abuse, seek help immediately.’
Anyone affected by Domestic Abuse is urged to contact Dawn’s New Horizon on 07854 044680, or ring Norfolk Integrated Domestic Abuse Service (NIDAS) on 0300 561 0555. People in immediate danger should call the police.
Residents of Broadland and South Norfolk can access the new counselling scheme by completing the councils’ Help Hub form: The councils also offer a sanctuary scheme which helps survivors of domestic abuse stay in their own homes, close to their support networks.
For more information about all the help available, or to report domestic abuse, please visit: southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/help-hub; email helphub@southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk, call 01603 430431 or 01508 533933.
Featured images – supplied
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