YMCA Cheshire is pleased to confirm a new three-year agreement with Cheshire East Council to deliver enhanced safe accommodation and support for victims of domestic abuse across the borough.
Beginning in April 2026, YMCA Cheshire will provide a range of safe accommodation options designed to meet the diverse needs of people fleeing domestic abuse. This will include traditional refuge-style housing for women, alongside dispersed accommodation for larger families, male victims, and individuals with more complex needs, supporting them as they move towards independent living.
The new provision has been shaped through extensive engagement with people with lived experience, close collaboration with local partners, and a rapid review of data to ensure services are responsive, inclusive, and deliver best value. It reflects a shared commitment between YMCA Cheshire and Cheshire East Council to strengthen outcomes for survivors and their families.
Following a children and families committee meeting in September, providers were invited to submit bids through a competitive procurement process. YMCA Cheshire was successfully appointed following a rigorous evaluation by a panel of experienced council representatives, with the award issued subject to contract signing.
Mark Hills, Chief Executive Officer at YMCA Cheshire, said:
“We are genuinely excited to begin this partnership and to support people at such a critical moment in their lives. Providing safe accommodation is about more than housing: it’s about offering hope, stability, and a clear pathway forward for those facing incredibly difficult circumstances. This opportunity allows YMCA Cheshire to extend our reach, deepen our impact, and work alongside the council to meet urgent needs and transform lives within our community.”
The announcement comes in the same year that Cheshire East Council became the first local authority in the UK to achieve Platinum Accreditation from the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA), recognising exceptional leadership and practice in housing-based responses to domestic abuse. This accreditation reflects the council’s successful implementation of DAHA’s Whole Housing Approach, ensuring survivors receive safe, effective, and compassionate support across all housing tenures.
YMCA Cheshire is proud to contribute to this borough-wide commitment to tackling domestic abuse and supporting survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity, safety, and confidence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available. Contact the Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Family Safety Unit on 0300 123 5101, or in an emergency call 999. Further information can be found on the Cheshire East Council website.
