REECE & SUNNY'S ROVING REPORTS - Behind Closed Doors Hub Launch

Sunny and I had the privilege of attending a Behind Closed Doors drop in last year, meeting with the people that run the group and some of those who have been supported.

They had a list of future objectives, one of those aims being to have their own hub to operate from and with Mandy and her team’s hard work and dedication that objective has been achieved.

Sunny and I were very honoured to attend the opening event, we went along with Karen Boylan representing Healthier Fleetwood. It really was wonderful to see something that had started out as an idea, a vision that then actually became a reality. Mandy and her team have devoted endless hours to getting the hub off the ground, it really does show their strength of character and determination, they care deeply about the work they do within Behind Closed Doors.

I asked Mandy what had changed since my previous visit, she had this to say: “More women had reached out to them following referrals from various organisations including Healthier Fleetwood and Doctors Surgeries. The hub means that women will have a base to meet up by either having one to one help or support from group drop-ins, with everything held in a space where they feel safe”

The hub also offers ‘Hampers of Hope’ which are available to be purchased by the general public, these are gifts that have been donated to the charity. The money raised by the hampers will contribute towards the running costs of the hub, whilst still supporting the members and families of those who need the services of Behind Closed Doors.

Some of the people that Sunny and I met had this to say about the opening of Behind Closed Doors Hub:

"Hopefully it will help benefit many families within our community because it isn’t just those directly affected by Domestic Violence who suffer but also their extended family members, as they try to support their loved ones."

"Some people find that not all services are as helpful as they could be, so hopefully this hub will provide an ideal stepping stone with it’s strong links to other organisations."

"Domestic Violence can be a subject that people don’t always talk about, Mandy and her team are hoping that the public will get behind the hub as they strive to provide help to those that desperately need it."

Sgt Andy Hill from the Neighbourhood Police Team in Fleetwood also attended the opening, being delighted to be there saying “Violence against women and girls is totally unacceptable in any form and will not be tolerated. Women in the Fleetwood and the Wyre Area, indeed everywhere should be confident to report any incidents to the Police directly or indirectly. It’s support hubs like this, that enable people to come forward even if they don’t feel comfortable going to the police, they’ll be able to come here to seek support, guidance and advice from people that have lived through and survived domestic every abuse. Please come down to the hub, support this local charity to help whoever and wherever they can. If someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, please seek support and help, contact the police or another support organisation like Behind Closed Doors they are out there”

Mandy and the team at Behind Closed Doors would like to thank the people and organisations that have turned up for their opening today and for all the support they have been given over the last three years and for the continued support including: Fleetwood Area Police, Angela Dawes (who cut the ribbon to officially open the hub), Healthier Fleetwood, Social Prescribers, Wyre Council and Sunny (obviously everyone’s favourite guest) & myself.

Behind Closed Doors Hub is located on Adelaide Street and is currently open to the public on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday between 10am – 2pm and Saturday between 11am – 1pm

Reece & Sunny - March 2025

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