Springfield

Speakers on 23rd February were Clare Feeny-Johnson and Michelle Fullerton from Kendal’s Domestic Abuse charity, Springfield.
Clare concentrated on male victims of domestic abuse, sharing disturbing statistics, not least that Cumbria has the highest of all (male and female) domestic homicides in the country.
The charity supports victims and now has a safe house for 3 high risk men as well as the established one for women. Average stays vary between 3 and 9 months, but the charity has also supported 352 men in a January to January period 2025-6. 
They have a Friends of Springfield scheme which can fund emergency single night hotel accommodation, video doorbells, locks for windows and doors etc.
Michelle’s post is funded through Children in Need and has so far supported 164 children connected to the adult victims. Her work is also to empower young people through school and group visits. They offer 1:1 support through art sessions or maybe just going for a walk together.
Kendal Rotary Club will look at ways of tangible support like provision of welcome packs for those arriving at a refuge with nothing.