Tessa Jowell announces further funding for 7 July Assistance Centre

The 7 July Assistance Centre for another year will be able to continue providing support to people caught up in terror attacks and other major disasters, thanks to extended funding announced today by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.

Ms Jowell told the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Victims of Terror that the Centre, which now offers support to people involved in 14 separate disasters, is to receive around £200,000 to allow it to continue its work next year.

She said:

“Great improvements have been made in recent years to increase the speed and effectiveness of our response to disasters.  But people caught up in these terrible events still do not always get the service or treatment they need.  We are working to help close that gap, to make sure we provide support for all those affected by an attack, whether it takes place here in the UK or elsewhere in the world.

“The threat of further terrorist attacks is ever present. And it’s a mark of our humanity as a society, and as a Government, how we support people when they are at their most fragile.  The 7 July Assistance Centre is an important source of information and support to many people, and I am therefore happy to confirm that DCMS will extend funding to the Centre for at least one more year.”

Key facts about the centre:

• the Centre supports just over 800 people with telephone support, regular newsletters, one to one counselling, and support groups;
• the 7 July Assistance Centre website continues to be a popular source of support and has received over 1.5 million hits;
• the helpline has had over 7,000 calls;
• the Centre has had over 1,500 visitors;
• and the Centre supports people who have been involved in 14 disasters.

The 7th July Assistance Centre was set up by Westminster City Council to support all those affected by the London bombings 2005, and has since supported those involved in other major disasters.