A NEW project supporting victims of domestic abuse will launch in the New Year, thanks to a £3,000 grant.

The money, from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Fund, will help the West Swindon Family Centre, in Freshbook, and was handed out by the Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon, which administers the commissioner’s funds.

The money will help develop the parenting skills of women with children who have been victims of domestic abuse.

The charity provides support to families suffering from domestic violence and financial problems.

Michael Smith, the centre’s business development manager, said it would aim to help women throughout the process of building relationships with children.

“We are aiming this project at women who have gone beyond the crisis situation,” he said. “This is for women with children aged five and under.

“We are delighted to receive the funds and we put a lot of effort into our application working with Swindon Council, Women’s Aid and other partners.

“We hope that everything will be ready to go for January.”

In Swindon, about 4,800 women have been victims of domestic violence within the past year, involving approximately 1,000 children.

In violent households, parenting can become unpredictable, inconsistent and ineffective.

One of the aims of the scheme is to prevent children, from these households, becoming violent in later life.

In total, about £21,000 from the commissioner’s fund has been given to good causes in the region in this batch of grants.

The other recipients are Longmeadow Association, Swan Advocacy Network, Life Education Centre, Relate Mid-Wilts, Waste Not, Want Not and KFR.

The commissioner’s fund looks to help charities who are addressing crime and anti-social behaviour.

The money is raised through the sale of unclaimed lost property and grants are made twice a year.