A charity helping young domestic abuse victims has received £158,000 to expand its support services after a spike in demand.
City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, gave the grant to Jigsaw4u – which works across Sutton and Merton, helping children with difficult lives to put the pieces back together. The money will pay for a full-time staff member to recruit, train and supervise new volunteers who will support families across the boroughs.
In the last three years Jigsaw4u has supported 628 people, offering families pre and post bereavement support, and working with children who are at risk of sexual exploitation.
Dhruv Patel, chairman of the City of London Corporation’s City Bridge Trust committee, said: “This charity is helping young people to rebuild their lives and empowering families to build a secure, and positive future. Half of the project’s volunteers are survivors of domestic abuse, and they relate so closely with the families they support.
“We are proud to partner with Jigsaw4u to tackle disadvantage and inequality in London. And we will continue to support charities in making the capital a better place in which to live.”
Stephen Loizou, managing director at Jigsaw4u, said: “This grant will allow us to support women and children who are rebuilding their lives following domestic abuse in south-west London.
“We will be working in partnership with statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure the service reaches everyone who needs it, and training specialist volunteers to support delivery.”
Lead image by Jed Leicester
