BY TANYA DU PREEZ

Maitland’s anti-domestic violence service and homeless shelter Carrie’s Place plans to expand into the heart of the city next year.

Coordinator Jenny Harland said the soaring statistics of domestic violence in Maitland had necessitated a drastic expansion of the service in the near future.

“We’ve totally outgrown the resource centre,” Ms Harland said.

“We need to increase our space and expand our operations, so we’re pursuing somewhere to move in Maitland.”

The organisation plans to move to new headquarters which will include a car park, access to public transport and security for people fleeing violence.

CEO Jan McDonald says she hopes the expansion will make Carrie’s Place more efficient and welcoming.

“We currently just have the one property, and clients sometimes have to sit out in the garden, in the children’s room, in the kitchen where our groceries are – because there’s just not enough room at all here,” she said.

“We are looking at moving to facilities that allow our clients to feel safer and afford them a bit more dignity.”

The move will be funded by money raised by the members of Carrie’s Place and the community.