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
Happy New Year 2021
What an incredible year 2020 has been for everyone. We have worked so hard from behind the scene adapting to new and different ways of delivering our service. In everything we do, we put our clients first and responded to existing and new clients who desperately needed our help. Statistically, Domestic Abuse has increased significantly since the pandemic and a number of families have had to seek temporary accommodation for their own safety. Managing these cases were extensive as there are ongoing risk assessments.
The notice on the front door of the Centre says, ”Closed due to COVID-19” but work still goes on from behind the scene. We delivered Christmas hampers to families in need. On Christmas Day we cooked and delivered Christmas lunch to a number of our clients.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support. And as we turn the corner to 2021 we hope you will continue to support our work.
2020 cannot go without me name calling a few organisations that have walked toe by toe with us. ASKI, Love Norbury, A2ndVoice, Nicholas Stewart Project, London Community Foundation and Croydon Council. Our organisation salutes you! We look forward to our continued engagement in the coming year.
MOPAC: Thank you for funding the projects for the young people; it means so much!
London Community Foundation: The end of project report has been slow in coming as our focus has been on the young people we work with. There is a saying, “water more than flour.” The needs of the young people are high, and even though COVID – 19 got me really bad, the report is on its way.
And finally, to our financial donors; you know who you are! You are our survival, and without your support we would cease to exist. Thank you all.
May I take this opportunity to wish everyone well. Stay well, and adhere to the COVID 19 protocol as we step out to meet 2021 together.
Jennifer McDermott, CEO
COVID-19 STATEMENT
DV counselling and support during the Coronavirus outbreak
All activities and face-to-face work at our Norbury Centre remain suspended until further notice. We hope to be re-opening shortly with social distancing in place.
In the meantime, we continue to offer free 1-2-1 online counselling for individuals who are experiencing or are affected by domestic abuse. For help, support or advice, please contact us on 020 3601 7475 or 07852 525 468 or email info@cassandracentre.org.uk to arrange this. Please let us know how to contact you and the most suitable time for us to do so.
If you are at imminent risk of harm, please call 999 and ask for the police. Please use The Silent Solution system if you are afraid of the danger or harm escalating when calling 999 in an emergency. If you are unable to talk on the phone, call 999 then press 55. This will transfer your call to the relevant police service who will assist you without you having to speak.
Always call 999 if you or someone else needs to, but if it’s not an emergency, please call 101 or visit www.met.police.uk
The freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 is also available 24/7 should you need immediate or out-of-hours help or advice.
Chief Executive Officer Jennifer McDermott said: “Cassandra Centre needs your support to continue the work we do more than ever. We are happy to receive self-referrals from anyone who thinks they might need our help.”
We thank you for your patience and look forward to hearing from you.
Published: 12 October 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.
