THIS is the first look at a groundbreaking centre to support women in West Cumbria.

The WOW! (Women out West) Centre is being developed at Haig Enterprise Park in Whitehaven and is due to open next month.

It is designed to help women in all kinds of circumstances, from victims of domestic violence, to those affected by separation or divorce, women living in poverty or on low incomes, to those who want to set up their own business.

The centre features a communal area, two training rooms, a kitchen, laundry, and salon with hairdressing sink and nail bar facility. CCTV is fitted throughout.

Drop-in sessions will be held for women to access any help, as well as a 12-week course for those who have left volatile relationships or struggled with domestic abuse. There are also plans to hold music nights, yoga and dance sessions.

The centre aims to support 200 women a year. It has been funded with a £170,000 grant from The Ministry of Justice.

Rachel Holliday of the (West Cumbria) Project CIC, which is behind the scheme, said she was “blown away” after visiting women’s centres in Carlisle and Barrow and seeing the “excellent” work being done there.

She said: “We have needed this centre for a long, long time and with the support from Copeland Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Ministry of Justice, we have managed to pull this project together within 12 months.

“In my lifetime I have faced homelessness, mental illness, divorce, and one of my children were diagnosed with special needs.

“There’s been so many times in my life I have needed a centre like this and I can only imagine there’s so many more who need this.”

Emma Williamson, who is working on the project on behalf of Copeland Council, said: “It’s vital that we have services like these for all women. We have needed it for a long time.”

The community is now invited to visit the centre next month to find out about the services it will offer. Support agencies, potential volunteers and service users are all welcome to attend the centre, at Unit B4, Haig Enterprise Park, Kells.

Drop-ins will be held on Tuesdays from 10am until 1pm and Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm. Agency only days will take place on Thursdays from 10am to 3pm.