Being in love can be
wonderful and exciting
but should never
include abuse
If it hurts
it isn’t love.
Educating and
safeguarding is
at the heart of
what we do at
Cassandra Centre
COVID-19 STATEMENT
Cassandra Centre, DV Counselling and Support during the Coronavirus outbreak
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak our centre in Norbury, SW London is shut and all activities and face-to-face work has been suspended for the time being. We would like to reassure you however, that Cassandra Centre is still fully functioning. We take our responsibility to our staff, clients, volunteers and visitors seriously and because of the evolving situation you are our number one priority. So, during these difficult times it’s important that you all keep yourself safe and well informed. You are therefore reminded to follow the public health advice on the NHS website to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus.
You will also find more information on the latest guidance for keeping yourself safe and well here at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/wuhan-novel-coronavirus
The news outlets and social media report that across the country and in London too, we are seeing an increase in incidences of domestic abuse because of COVID-19. So, if you are feeling threatened or unsafe in your home and you believe you’re being abused, or worried that a loved one may be, please get in touch with us.
And in our efforts to ensure our client’s safety, Cassandra Centre is offering free 1-2-1 online counselling for individuals who are experiencing or being affected by domestic abuse. For help, support or advice, please contact Cassandra Centre on 020 3601 7475 or 07852 525 468 or email us at info@cassandracentre.org.uk to arrange this, and to let us know how to contact you and the most suitable time for us to do so.
In addition to the regular services we offer our clients and because of the Governments advice to ‘stay at home’ during the COVID-19 period, we are cooking and delivering free meals every Thursday throughout April 2020, to elderly, vulnerable, disabled and self-isolating adults who live in our local community and also in Croydon, Wandsworth and Lambeth. This service has turned out to be very popular and we have so far delivered over 200 free meals. We have therefore decided to extended our free meals delivery service to the end of June 2020. So, if you know of anyone who would benefit from this, please contact us on 07714 735 568 and 07852 525 468 or email: admin@cassandracentre,org.uk to place an order.
If you are in imminent risk of harm, please call 999 and ask for the police. Please use The Silent Solution system which helps victims of domestic abuse who are afraid of any danger or harm escalating when calling 999 in an emergency. If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999, and then press 55. This will transfer your call to the relevant police force who will assist you without you having to speak. Also call 999 if you or someone else needs to but if it’s not and emergency, please call 101 or visit www.met.police.uk
There’s also a freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on: 0808 2000 247 which is available 24/7, should you need immediate or out-of-hours help or advice.
Cassandra Centre recognises that COVID-19 is placing new and increasing challenges on us all and this is an area of concern for us and the local community. We have received kind comments of encouragement from many of you, so we’d like to let you know that we are reviewing our activities during this outbreak and also acting on information and feedback we receive on emerging COVID-19 issues.
Chief Executive Jennifer McDermott said: “Cassandra Centre needs your support to continue the work we do more than ever, now that we’re facing this challenge, and we are also happy to receive self-referrals from anyone who thinks they might need our help.”
Published: 21st April 2020
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Who we are and some of what we do
Cassandra Centre (CC) is a registered charity based in Norbury, London SW16 which focuses on domestic violence and abuse amongst young people.
The charity was set up in 2007 after the tragic murder of Cassandra McDermott by her ex-boyfriend. Cassandra was only 19 years old.
Our main focus is to raise more awareness about the effects of domestic abuse on young people and to educate both young men and women about the risks and signs of domestic violence and abuse and to offer much needed support to those in need of assistance.
We aim to do this by:
And as domestic abuse cuts across all barriers, there is no distinction between upbringing, age, ethnicity, social class or ability. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone so we offer support and help to survivors of domestic abuse and their families in many ways that include:
We are able to offer these services at our fantastic space in Norbury, SW London which has specialist rooms for counselling, one-to-one and group-work too. We also have a dedicated space at the Centre where young people can come to get support and to relax.
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