Click on the titles below to read more about our history.
A group of women who were living and working in the city became concerned at the lack of emergency accommodation for women and their children who were at risk of domestic abuse. As part of the refuge movement in Newcastle, safe spaces for women were quite often the front room of a volunteer’s home. The volunteers embarked on a campaign and lobbied the local authority and a small house was provided which was set up as the city’s first refuge. The refuge was entirely staffed and managed by volunteers.
Since 1975 Newcastle Women’s Aid has gone from strength to strength. The growing public awareness of domestic abuse resulted in increased resources being allocated to service provision.
We expanded the service provision in 1992 to include Outreach and aftercare support to women who were experiencing domestic abuse but did not want to come into refuge.
On average the refuge was home to 100 women and 50 children per year and Outreach supported an average of 50 women per year.
The Saving Lives film captures the powerful and emotional stories experienced by women and children affected by domestic abuse. The film also demonstrates the vital and important services provided by Newcastle Women's Aid in partnership with other agencies. You can watch Saving Lives in the News and Resources section of our website.
Newcastle Women's Aid Trustees, Directors and staff are committed to continue to provide services to women, children and young people who have been affected by domestic abuse. Since January 2017 we have been busy meeting with women and girls who have previously accessed our services and with staff from local services who provide support to women and girls to find out what they feel the gaps are in service provision. The feedback we received was invaluable in helping us redevelop our new services.