A local domestic violence charityis moving to bigger premises and expanding its team to accommodate an enormous surge in demand during the pandemic.
Since September, Domestic Violence Assist has recruited 20 volunteer advisers – mostly retired legal professionals – alongside six full-time case workers to run their 24/7 helpline.
22,000 referrals from police forces, social services, housing associations and charity organisations flooded in throughout 2020 – double the total for 2019.
Since Christmas Day, the charity has dealt with 2,800 cases of domestic abuse – with January expected to be its busiest ever month.
The rise in referrals has seen DV Assist move to a larger space in South Manchester – a move made possible by grants from Forever Manchester and the National Lottery Community Fund.
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Founder and chief executive of DV Assist Luis Labaton said there was “no doubt” that the pandemic has played a role in the big rise of domestic violence and abuse, but confirmed the charity was well-equipped to handle the growing caseload.
He stated: “Many people living with controlling, abusive and unpredictable partners have effectively become trapped at home during the various lockdowns and since the introduction of the tier system.
“The COVID-19 crisis has increased domestic tension and led to more physical, sexual and financial and emotional abuse.
“With fewer visitors to the home, evidence of abuse may have gone unnoticed and therefore not brought to the attention of the various agencies. We have also seen cases where single parents have had their children taken by partners during the lockdowns and not returned due to the situation.
“More victims – men and women – have sought assistance from us. The intensity and pattern of abuse appears to have escalated, while at the same time access to other resources offering help has reduced due to the impact of the pandemic.”
Other charities have also experienced busy months.
The NSPCC also received a record number of calls in November 2020 – stating that domestic abuse harming children is being reported 50 per cent more during the pandemic.
The rules state that domestic abuse victims do not have to remain at home in lockdown if they need to seek help and assistance.
Home Secretary Priti Patel has reiterated this message in a letter earlier this month, stating: “I fully agree on the vital need to continue to remind victims of abuse that they do not have to observe restrictions if they need to leave home to seek refuge or help.
“This was a message recently repeated by the Prime Minister when announcing the new national measures, and we will continue to take every opportunity to reinforce this.”
DV Assist is the UK’s only registered charity specialising in arranging civil protection orders for victims of domestic abuse – covering non-molestation injunction orders, prohibited steps orders and occupation orders.
For more information, visit DVA Assist online and on Twitter at @_DVASSIST.
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Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad
Danny Jones
Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.
The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.
Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.
As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Kalvin Phillips has chance to resurrect career at the Etihad Stadium after failed loan spells with Ipswich and West Ham
According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.
Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.
The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.
Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.
Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.
It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.
CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.
Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.
What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)/pantkiewicz (via Flickr)
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Brand new venue confirmed as the host of The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness
Danny Jones
The magnificent Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness is back this year, and with the 2025 event fast approaching, they have announced arguably their biggest host venue yet, setting up in camp in a brand new food and drink hall.
Having housed the incredible charity gathering from Freight Island last year, it was always going to take some beating this time around, but somehow they’ve managed to.
The annual relay run in aid of Greater Manchester’s homeless community will be taking place at none other than the city centre’s recently unveiled House of Social, with the building’s wider student living quarters serving as the perfect fit for the initiative first thought up by university friends back in 2018.
Announced this week, House of Social will be teaming up with the wider First Street neighbourhood to look after the hordes of incredible runners this year.
Jamie Hills, Development Director at Ask Real Estate – who operate the ever-growing First St complex – said of volunteering as this year’s hosts: “First Street is thrilled to welcome and fuel the incredible runners of The Manchester 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness.
“As the city’s hotspot for community events and culture, we’re proud to be a place where community thrives, so we’re incredibly excited to support this important initiative. With our fantastic on-site amenities like House of Social, we’re ready to keep those participating powered up and going strong!”
As for co-founder Tom Lewis, speaking to The Manc, he said: “We’re excited to return for our 7th edition, with Manchester being our flagship event.
“Through being hosted at House of Social in First Street, we’re hoping to make this year’s edition the best and biggest yet, aiming to raise £50,000 for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity Scheme, ‘A Bed Every Night’.
“We’d love to see you all at the event, plus bring your friends and workplace to. There are paces for everyone, including walking laps.”
In November 2024, not only did the fundraising phenomenon mark its first-ever expansion with an inaugural event in Birmingham, but it also surpassed £50,000 here in Manchester alone, and is now set to make debuts in a trio of new cities.
Tom went on to add: “I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve managed to accomplish as a team with starting up three more events across the country this year and expanding Manchester to a scale we couldn’t have dreamed of when we started out seven years ago.”
We here at The Manc Group have been helping The MCR 24 Run Against Homelessness for several years now, and have put in plenty of those 5k laps between ourselves, so you can bank on us being there to put in some more hard yards this November.
Even better still, we’ve already roped in our friends over at The Hoot to help out with the maiden 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness in Leeds, and we hope to see lots more of you chipping in across the North and beyond.
Here’s to helping rough sleepers find beds and get back on their feet all over the country.
The @mcr24hourrun is expanding in 2025 and is heading to Leeds for the first time. 🏃♂️
And they're not the only city making their debut this year either… 👊