A DOMESTIC violence ‘One Stop Shop’ for south Essex is set to go ahead after a successful £500,000 funding bid.

The funding comes from the Department for Communities and Local Government after a successful joint bid by Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford, Thurrock and Brentwood Councils.

The money will fund two domestic violence coordinators who will be employed to help set up the service and prepare bids for future funding to ensure the project remains viable in the future.

Funding will also go towards 28 refuge spaces which would have otherwise been lost.

Support also came from Basildon and Thurrock Citizens Advice Bureau as well as South Essex RAPE and Incest Crisis Centre.

The One Stop Shop will involve staff from housing, CAB, domestic violence co-ordinators and Essex Police attending one day per week and taking a collaborative approach to tackling the issue.

Anthony Hedley, Basildon councillor for Housing and Community Safety, says the council will now work with partners to set up the One Stop Shop in an agreed South Essex location in the next few months.

He said: “This is a terrific joint effort from all involved and shows what can be achieved with effective partnership working.

“This money will go a long way in keeping victims of domestic violence safe from harm across south Essex.”