Drogheda Women & Children’s Refuge (DWCR) has officially launched a new Community Resource Hub and unveiled its Strategic Plan 2026 to 2030, marking a significant expansion of services for women, children and young people affected by domestic abuse.
The new Community Resource Hub, located in a central and accessible area of Drogheda, will provide a safe and welcoming space where women and families can access information, support, advocacy, and practical assistance through community-based, drop-in services. To protect the privacy and safety of service users, the location of the Hub will remain confidential.
The development of the Hub has been made possible through funding from Cuan, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency, whose support will help broaden the reach of the organisation and ensure that more women and children can access assistance when they need it most.
Also based within the Hub is DWCR’s Child and Youth Support Worker, funded through the Department of Justice. This specialist role will work directly with children and young people, particularly adolescents who are experiencing or impacted by domestic abuse, providing support, guidance and early intervention to help them navigate difficult circumstances and build positive futures.
The launch also marks the introduction of DWCR’s new Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which sets out an ambitious vision of a future free from domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and abuse. The strategy focuses on three key priorities: Protect, Prevent and
Policy, with commitments to strengthen core services, expand outreach and community supports, develop specialist services for children and young people, raise awareness through education, and influence policy and systemic change.
Speaking at the launch, Susan Keogh, CEO of Drogheda Women & Children’s Refuge, said:
“Today marks a significant milestone for our organisation and, most importantly, for the women, children, and young people we support. The opening of our Community Resource Hub will allow us to reach more people in our community, provide earlier intervention, and ensure that support is accessible to those who may not require refuge accommodation but still need help, information, and advocacy.
We are particularly proud that the Hub will be home to our Outreach Team and Child and Youth Support Worker, whose role recognises the profound impact domestic abuse can have on young people, especially teenagers. Through this service, we will provide dedicated support to help young people feel heard, safe, and empowered.
We are enormously grateful to Cuan and the Department of Justice for their investment in these vital services. As we launch our Strategic Plan 2026–2030, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting those experiencing domestic abuse, preventing violence through education and awareness, and advocating for policies that create lasting change. Together, we can work towards a future where every woman, child, and young person can live free from fear and abuse.”
Drogheda Women & Children’s Refuge has been supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse since 1998 and remains committed to providing safety, support, and hope to those who need it most. The new Community Resource Hub represents a significant addition to the range of services available across County Louth and the wider region.
