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WOMEN from the Nowra Women’s refuge will finally have something to smile about.
The shelter officially reopened on Tuesday after being closed for renovations since February.
Before the revamp, the refuge did not have disabled access and was in desperate need of work.
The refuge, which will turn 30 next year, now looks as good as new with a wheelchair-friendly bathroom, kitchen and entry.
“It might not always be the mum that needs the wheelchair access. Sometimes the child is in a wheelchair. Even someone with crutches, we would have tried to accommodate them before, but this makes it much easier,” said Jen (who did not want to be identified), a support worker from the shelter.
Other improvements were the share kitchen, the installation of hotel standard fire extinguishers, the children’s room, laundry and floors.
“It gave us a bit of a makeover. There wasn’t a lot of renovating done before this,” said Jen.
“Every year we try to buy something nice to make it feel more like a home. This year we bought some new curtains.”
The Nowra Women’s Refuge is one of 65 in NSW providing safe houses for women and their children.
It has 16 beds and three cots which are occupied for most of the year.
As well as a safe bed, the shelter provides food, free local calls and transport.
It also gives the women support and access to services, whether it be finding a house or attending court.
Women are provided with welcome bags courtesy of the Manor House Church.
The bags include essentials, as well as little luxury items like nail polish.
The Alannah and Madeline foundation supplies school backpacks for children.
The opening was celebrated with a lunch prepared by Slice of Life.
To contact the refuge, call 4421 8276.