A doctor’s surgery is thanking a staff member for their efforts raising money and awareness of domestic abuse.

The Holbrook and Shotley Practice was inspired to support domestic abuse charity Lighthouse.

Based in Ipswich, Lighthouse offers refuge to women, young people and children who are fleeing abusive situations.

The team wanted to take action after the Lighthouse team visited them to give an educational talk on their work.The team wanted to take action after the Lighthouse team visited them to give an educational talk on their work. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Lighthouse visited the surgery back in April to deliver a free-of-charge presentation about abuse, and what the surgery can do to support vulnerable patients.

The Crime Survey for England Wales has estimated that more than two million people after 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2023. Of these, 1.4 million were women while 751,000 were men.

The police recorded 889,918 domestic abuse-related crimes, while there were 51,288 domestic abuse-related prosecutions in England and Wales for that year.

According to secretary and safeguarding lead, Jen Chenery, based at the Holbrook site, the talk was eye-opening for surgery staff.

“We wanted to do what we could to pay Lighthouse back,” explained Ms Chenery. “At some time in our lives, it’s likely some of us will be affected by domestic abuse in some way.”

Determined to do what they could, the staff set about fundraising for Lighthouse, with practice manager Lorna Bacon praising Ms Chenery, who she said has been working tirelessly behind the scenes.

The surgery has now raised almost £500 altogether.

This amount has come from staff taking part in the Bury half marathon, Valley of the Owls; a sponsored walk around Alton Water, and an organised “clothes swap” at both the surgery’s two sites in Holbrook and Shotley.

Ms Chenery was modest about her role in the surgery’s efforts. “We have a great team here,” she said.