A BROADWAY actress has spoken about why she is proud to be backing a new drop-in centre for victims of Domestic violence.

Amanda Root is the new patron of For Women, which has opened its doors in East Street, Colchester.

Ms Root, 47, who is from Colchester, said she felt honoured to be invited by Colchester and Tendring Women’s Refuge to support its latest project.

The former Philip Morant School pupil, who has starred in films and TV shows, including the 1996 version of Jane Eyre, Little Britain, and the Forsyte Saga, added: “I think it is an incredibly good cause and I definitely wanted to be part of it.

“There are a lot of women who are suffering in this country from all kinds of abuse, and it just seemed so worthwhile.”

Her first job as patron was to declare the drop-in-centre open at an official launch.

She said: “Domestic violence is something we cannot overlook or sweep under the carpet, if we profess to be a compassionate society.

“It can take years for women to recover from domestic violence, while their children are at greater risk of anxiety and depression, poor school records and a lower than average attention span.

“This centre is an amazing achievement.”

The centre will offer advice, counselling and a place to socialise for women who have left the women’s refuge or who may still be in a violent relationship. Women will get help with issues such as housing, benefits and childcare.

Facilities include a Wii computer games console, sports equipment and a treatment room offering alternative therapies, such as reiki.

Funds have come from Colchester Council, NHS North East Essex, and a number of businesses and charitable trusts.

Ms Root continued: “The service users who come through the system say how incredible it is that it helps people leave those situations and get out of that cycle.

“Women are given their lives back when they didn’t know how to, and didn’t know what was available.

“Thankfully, they find out about this place, and it is as if they have been released from dreadful captivity and found their lives again.”

June Freeman, trustee and founder member of Colchester and Tendring Women’s Refuge, said the charity had wanted to open a new Colchester centre for some time.

She said: “I was very keen there was some kind of non-residential service, which would provide ongoing support for however long these women needed it.

“Some people may get flashbacks five years on, and others, when they are rehoused in a new part of town, they can feel desperately lonely, so it’s good to have a place they can meet people.

“A lot of women don’t go into refuges, and some may still be with the perpetrator.

“It can be very hard for them to get started rebuilding their lives without somewhere to go for support, as they are nearly always doing this with children, a very small amount of money and few friends.”

The centre, at 35 East Street, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 10am until 2pm. Call 01206 867120 for more information.