WOMEN who have survived domestic abuse will get support to overcome the trauma they have endured alongside help to get into employment.

County Durham charity The Cornforth Partnership, has secured £9,894 to offer support and training to female abuse survivors in former mining communities in the county.

The funding from the Coalfields Community Investment Programme will enable the project to run free sessions to help women overcome the trauma of their past experiences, while also focusing on developing new skills and training for the future.

As well as giving these women greater aspirations, the idea is also to extend their employability.

Tony Cutmore, operations manager at The Cornforth Partnership, said that with only 50 jobs for every 100 people of working age in coalfield communities, better support, training and provision is fundamental if the lives of residents are to change for the better.

He said: “It can be very difficult for women to access the support and help that they need following domestic abuse and that is why we felt that this project was so important.

“Having the support from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust really does make all of the difference. Without the funding we simply would not be able support these women who have so much to offer and to achieve, the opportunity to overcome and move on from the traumatic experiences of their past.”

Chief executive of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, Gary Ellis, said: “We have a five-year strategy in place that focuses on three priorities for action, employment, skills and health and wellbeing.

“We know that access to support and training delivering in this way– in a safe and secure environment– can make all of the difference to these women and we are very pleased to be in a position to redirect funding where it matters most.

“Giving people the chance to reach their aspirations isn’t just about the direct impact it has on them but also on their families, friends and wider community.”

Delivered by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, the Coalfields Community Investment Programme supports organisations and programmes of activity that meet with three key criteria– to address skills, employment or health and wellbeing.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust was established in 1999 to support former mining towns and villages.

More than two million people have benefited from its work, with around 25,500 supported into work, 5,500 jobs created or safeguarded, 1.3m people received support to help improve their skills and gain qualifications and more 250,000 people have participated in activities to boost their health.