A BOLTON-based Barnardo's project which helps Asian women and children fleeing domestic violence is set to receive a £74,000 cash boost.

The Barnardo's Phoenix Project offers advice, support and counselling to Asian women, children and young people experiencing, or escaping, domestic violence.

And it now intends to take on more workers after news of the two-year Department of Health grant.

The Phoenix Project is working with an increasing number of women involved in abusive relationships, and the recruitment of a new worker next months means that even more women will receive this life-saving support.

Recognition

Project leader, Bhaggie Patel, said: "We are one of the few projects in the country to have received this type of grant. There is wide recognition of the impact of domestic violence on children and the importance of support services like Phoenix."

In addition to employing another project worker, cash will be spent on hiring a volunteer co-ordinator who will recruit and train the growing number of local women offering their help.

Volunteers will support project workers with support groups, and be responsible for organising activities and outings for children.

Further information from the Phoenix Project on 848966.

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