Domestic Abuse Charity Vida Sheffield to Cease Operations by March 2025 Following Funding Struggles

Vida Sheffield, a women’s charity that has provided trauma-focused therapy to domestic abuse survivors for nearly 30 years, has declared its intention to cease operations by the end of March 2025, following a 12-month effort to remain open. Marilyn Gregory, the Chair, expressed concern that the charity would be failing women reliant on its services. She stated: “It is so disheartening to find ourselves with no prospect of sustaining our services, it feels like we are letting down those women who have no alternatives.” In November 2023, Vida initiated a petition seeking emergency council funding, prompted by service cuts that jeopardized its continued operation. This petition, which garnered 27,481 signatures, was subsequently presented at a Sheffield City Council meeting on 15 July. Angela Argenzio, who chairs the council’s adult health and social care policy committee, commented at that time that the authority was unable to provide direct funding to the charity. A statement released by Vida indicated that, notwithstanding both written and verbal support, closure would be unavoidable by the end of March 2025. The charity specified that approximately £250,000 annually was required to sustain its services, which assist up to 200 individuals each year. Vida asserted that its operations resulted in an estimated saving of £50,000 per month for the NHS. Jane McLaren, the clinical manager, described the past year as exceptionally challenging. She remarked: “The incredible team of trauma-informed therapists have been amazing in keeping the service going over the last 12 months despite all of the challenges we’ve faced and I’ve found them and our service users inspirational in their drive to support our service.“We know that other services addressing mental health receive direct funding but Vida does not.”