Domestic abuse survivors will be supported to rebuild their lives thanks to the allocation of £1.2m for five projects across the South West, Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP has announced on Saturday.

The money will provide new beds in refuges and other safe accommodation, access to education, and tailored employment and life skills guidance as survivors move towards building a safe and healthy future for themselves and their children – free from domestic abuse.

Projects will be delivered by South West councils working alongside local organisations to help ensure that no survivor of domestic abuse is turned away from the support they need to start their new life.

Housing Minister Heather Wheeler MP said: “Those who have survived domestic abuse will have had their lives, and the lives of their families, shattered. It is our duty to ensure survivors can seek help by providing the support they need to restart their lives.

“Through providing specialist accommodation and access to employment, this fund will make sure South West councils and charities can provide a strong safety net for anyone facing the threat of abuse in their own home.”

Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of Refuge said: “That Refuge services will be supported by this fund is hugely welcome news both for us and particularly for the thousands of women and children we support on a daily basis.

“Critically, this funding ensures that many of our refuges will remain open and continue to provide life-saving specialist support to those experiencing domestic abuse. A small number would have been forced to close had we not received these crucial funds.

The government will shortly be introducing a new Domestic Abuse Bill to protect and support survivors, recognise the life-long impact domestic abuse has on children, and make sure agencies are effectively respond to domestic abuse.