Tyldesley with Atherton Rotary Club have been continuing their great work in the community despite the COVID pandemic and they realise that now more than ever groups like their own are needed. In the past few months they have donated to Bolton Mountain Rescue, Makants Greyhoud Rescue and most recently created over 30 pamper packs for local domestic refuge users.

Over the past year there has generally been an increase in demand for domestic abuse victim support services, including a 65% increase in calls and contacts logged by the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at the beginning of the pandemic compared to prior to lockdown. Also, increase in demand for domestic abuse support services were particularly noticeable following the lockdown measures in mid-May 2020, such as a 12% increase in the number of domestic abuse cases handled by Victim Support in the week lockdown restrictions were eased, compared to the previous week; this reflects the difficulties victims faced in safely seeking support during the lockdown. As we are nearing the end of our third and hopefully final lockdown the data implies that this will increase again.

The pamper packs created will support our local domestic abuse refuge. These packs contain items such as toiletries and personal hygiene items including a focus on ‘treating yourself’ given the situations they have escaped from. Often victims arrive with little or no personal belongings and simply providing a set of products that builds a sense of worth and belonging is crucial to their onward journeys and recovery. Pictured are Rotarians; Linda Turnbull, Janinne Ogg and Julie Grundy after delivering the packs to a local domestic refuge service this week. President of the club Gavin Tomlinson said, ‘It’s important to us that we do what we can at all times to help our community and I’m very proud that our club has been able to make a difference to peoples lives in such a kind and practical way.