A PROJECT developed by a group of Gwent housing providers has been awarded for its "creative approach" to tackling domestic abuse.

The Free from Fear project was awarded the Pat Chown Capturing Creativity award by Community Housing Cymru for its development of a web portal for housing staff to use when responding to reports, incidents and disclosures of domestic abuse.

Social landlords involved in the project include Bron Afon Community Housing, Charter Housing, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Melin Homes, Monmouthshire Housing, Newport City Homes, United Welsh Housing Association, Derwen Cymru, Tai Calon Community Housing and Linc Cymru.

The project was established to ensure a more effective service for social housing tenants in Gwent suffering from domestic abuse. Its web portal provides housing staff with an online resource accessible on electronic devices.

A spokesman for the Gwent Free from Fear partnership said “We are extremely grateful to receive the Pat Chown award. The Free from Fear project is leading the way in Wales in dealing with domestic abuse within the housing sector. The online tool kit is now also being adopted by housing providers Wales-wide, helping more people live free from fear.”

The award was set up eighteen years ago in memory of Pat Chown, who worked in housing sector.

Visit the website www.freefromfear.walesfor more details on the project.