Swindon Borough Council’s recent tendering decision will result in a significant shift in the town’s domestic abuse support landscape, as the contract for managing the refuge and providing community support for victims moves away from Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS).
This marks the end of an integrated service that has been at the heart of Swindon’s efforts to support victims and prevent abuse for the past 12 years.
Swindon Women’s Aid, officially known as SDASS, has been the cornerstone of domestic abuse support in Swindon for the last 50 years. Since its founding in Old Town in 1974 by Jenni Manners, the charity has been instrumental in helping victims escape abusive situations, while also tackling the root causes of domestic violence through education, awareness, and early intervention programmes. The charity’s dedication was recognised just last month when it achieved the highest possible accreditation from Women’s Aid for the quality of its services.
The decision to change providers has come as a blow to SDASS, particularly given the charity’s track record of success and innovation. Earlier this year, Queen Camilla herself visited the charity to celebrate its anniversary and witnessed first-hand the impact of its programmes. Through initiatives like the Open2Change programme, which works with perpetrators to prevent reoffending, and educational outreach in local schools, SDASS has been working tirelessly to create a future where domestic abuse is no longer tolerated.
Nicky Alberry, Chair of Swindon Women’s Aid, voiced her disappointment with the outcome of the tendering process. “We are extremely disappointed with Swindon Borough Council’s decision and stand in solidarity with other local charities that have faced similar challenges. While we understand the necessity of a competitive tendering process, we have serious concerns about the transparency and robustness of this particular process, which have not been addressed.”
Alberry also highlighted the potential wider impact of the Council’s procurement decisions, urging for a review of the process before more people in need, and the charities that support them, are negatively affected.
Despite the setback, Swindon Women’s Aid remains focused on the future. The charity has secured alternative funding and continues to receive community support through fundraising efforts and its Survivor@SWA charity shop. This stability means that the charity can continue to deliver its vital services independently of the Council’s contract. Alberry confirmed, “Our commitment remains as strong as it has been for the last 50 years. We will continue to support victims of domestic abuse across Swindon.”
Looking ahead, SDASS plans to expand its work with children and young people, helping them recognise unhealthy behaviours early on. The charity will also maintain its business consultancy and training services, ensuring that employees in organisations across the UK have access to the support they need.
Alberry concluded, “As Queen Camilla said during her visit, there’s something special here. We are determined to continue our mission to end domestic abuse in Swindon.”
A Swindon Borough Council spokesperson said: “During the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of our contracts with voluntary sector service providers were extended to focus the effort of council staff and service providers on supporting the community.
“The Swindon Women’s Aid contract had been in place for the maximum period possible, before we were legally required to run a competitive procurement exercise.
“This process gave other organisations the opportunity to bid for the new contract, ensuring that future service provision represents the best quality and value to residents and tax payers.
“The outcome of the procurement is that a new provider, The You Trust, will be providing domestic abuse support in Swindon from 01 October 2024. Having reviewed the process back in July, we are satisfied that the process was robust and fair to all bidders. Swindon Women’s Aid also reviewed this process in July.
“We recognise that this is a disappointing outcome for Swindon Women’s Aid which currently holds the contract, but we’d like to thank them for their hard work and dedication to Swindon and welcome its intention to maintain a role in supporting victims of domestic abuse in the Borough.”
