Clydebank Women's Aid announces closure after 40 years

The National

04-06-2025

Staff at the service say they are devastated, as they announce the closure of the charity, which has been running for more than 40 years.
In a statement released this morning, the organisation say they are "no longer in a position to provide the support women, children, and young people in our community need and, more importantly, deserve."
It continues: "For over four decades, Clydebank Women's Aid has been more than just a service — it has been our passion, our purpose, our identity, and our lives. This decision has not been made lightly, and we are devastated that it has come to this.
"Despite the hardships faced in recent years, we have worked relentlessly to keep the service running, driven by an unwavering belief in the value and necessity of Women's Aid services.
"We feel privileged that women, children and young people have trusted us with their experiences at a time when they were most vulnerable."
In the statement, staff reflect on the current rate of domestic violence within West Dunbartonshire, with the area having the second-highest in Scotland.
They are calling for ringfenced funding to be available for Women's Aid groups across Scotland.
The organisation said: "We hope this stark reality is recognised and reflected in the way Women's Aid services are funded and supported. Women, children, and young people in Clydebank deserve fully funded, specialist Women's Aid services that recognise the scale and impact of domestic abuse has on their lives.
"They deserve support that is consistent, not services struggling to survive on insecure funding. No woman should be left without support because a vital service couldn't afford to continue. Sustainable investment isn't optional — it's a necessity.
"This is a call to action: for sustainable, ring-fenced funding for Women's Aid groups across the country, for recognition of the scale and impact of domestic abuse, and for the right of every woman, child, and young person to live free from fear of violence and abuse."
Phone lines for the charity are to remain open until July 17, where women can access crisis support and information.
The organisation is in the process of creating a document that will signpost women to other agencies depending on their situation.
You can contact Scottish Women's Aid on 0800 027 1234