SDAS AGM
Margaret Symonds and I were invited to attend the AGM of the Southern Domestic Abuse Service (SDAS) held on Friday 9th September at the Public Service Plaza in Havant, following which a buffet lunch was served.
The Organisation was set up in 1977 as Havant Women’s Aid and in 2012 became SDAS, reflecting its commitment to all affected by domestic abuse and violence be they women, children or men; also its servics being made available to the wider area of S.E.Hants.
Last year they were able to accommodate 122 women and 155 children. Their four refuges can take 24 families with up to 68 children at any one time. Each family has a bedroom and shares kitchen, dining and living facilities.
But their help and advice extends far beyond providing a safe haven from domestic abuse and violence.
Their Outreach and Resettlement services ensure that families transfer as smoothly as possible from the Refuge into the community, they offer one-to-one group work sessions, workshops, after school club, telephone advice, holiday activities etc. Without them many families would feel isolated and unable to cope.
“Buy a Brick”
This is an appeal to raise one million pounds to enable SDAS to buy their own six bedroom Refuge house in S.E.Hants. “Bricks” cost £25 (bronze) £100 (silver) or £1,000 (gold). This will help to secure the future of the organisation and ensure it can continue its valuable and indeed vital work in our community. To make a donation (of any amount) please visit :
www.southerndas.org
or email: donations@southerndas.org
As families often need to leave home in great haste and therefore arrive at the shelter with very little, supplies of towels, toiletries, single bedding and women’s and children’s clothing are always needed. These can be given to Margaret Symonds who will arrange for them to be collected.
Branch Summer Tea Party
The total raised at this event (which I reviewed in the Summer edition of St George’s News) increased to £207.50 after the WWF boxes were opened and counted.
September meeting
Twelve ladies gathered on Thursday 15th September to hear Margaret Symonds talk with slides about her recent pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
During a hectic week they visited many of the important sites and her talk was both interesting and informative. It is being serialised in St George’s News - the 2nd part being in this edition.
To finish we had a raffle, tea and this month’s cake - chocolate.
Janet Johnson
