Women’s Refuge named as Good Cause of the Year

Meath Women's Refuge and Support Services, which assists women affected by domestic violence and abuse, has been named as the 2023 National Lottery Good Cause of the Year.

The Navan-based service also won the Health and Wellbeing category at the National Lottery Good Causes Awards ceremony in Killashee House Hotel in Co Kildare on Saturday.

The National Lottery Good Causes Awards honour the inspiring work and achievements of thousands of projects, clubs and individuals from all over Ireland who, with the help of National Lottery Good Causes funding, have had an extraordinary impact on their local communities.

Marty Whelan, chair of this year's Judging Panel, explained why Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services secured the title, saying: “Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services has proven to be a beacon of hope, offering solace and strength to those who need it most. My fellow judges and I got a true sense of the deep and long-lasting impact felt by the users of this vital service and how important a role it plays in today’s society. Their unwavering commitment to protecting and empowering women has earned them the well-deserved title of National Lottery Good Cause of the Year 2023."

A HSE National Lottery grant enabled Meath Women’s Refuge and Supports Services to fund a series of holistic programmes to reduce stress and anxiety for women staying at the refuge. This included acupuncture, sound baths, weighted blankets to reduce anxiety and a new library of 154 books related to recovery and wellbeing.

In 1987, a group of local women worked on a voluntary basis to research the needs of women in the area in the 1980s. Discovering that domestic violence was one of four key issues affecting women in Meath, this group of women went on to research best practice responses and established a refuge which became the Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services in 1990. Their 2022 Annual Report was recently launched, revealing that Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services supported 539 women and 131 children last year who experienced domestic violence and abuse. It provided emergency refuge accommodation to 57 women and 74 children, an 11 per cent increase.

With the publication of a new Bill to create an agency dedicated to tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence recently being approved by Government, the work of organisations like the Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services has come to the forefront. Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said the aim of the new agency is to tackle these crimes and support victims and survivors alongside the organisations who work on the front line.

Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services were presented with their Health and Wellbeing award by Joanna Donnelly of MEt Eireann broadcasts, and Minister Paschal Donohoe presented the group with the overall Good Cause of the year award.

Minister Donohoe said: “It has been a truly inspiring evening surrounded by such innovative groups who contribute so much to their communities every day, thanks to National Lottery funding. While each of the finalists have shown how deserving they are, it was an honour to present Meath Women’s Refuge and Support Services with the overall Good Cause of the Year Award. The support that they provide to their service users is enduring and truly makes a huge impact to the lives of many.”

“We were thrilled to win the Health & Wellbeing category Award, and the overall title of National Lottery Good Cause of the Year Award 2023,” said Sinead Smith, CEO, Meath Women’s Refuge & Support Services.

“It’s a tribute to all our community, local businesses, partners and board members in Meath who have supported us so strongly over the years, and our hard-working staff team, many of whom have been with us for years. We hope this award shines a light on the strength of women affected by violence and abuse and highlights the work of all the local domestic violence services across Ireland.”