Having seen the effects of domestic violence on families and
children throughout her career, the passion to do something positive and make a
change drove dynamic Cynthia Monteverde to take action. With financial support from a friend she
worked to set up ‘Betterdays Homes’ a shelter for women who are victims of
domestic violence and their families.
Cynthia reflected “I have been through domestic violence myself in
my early years. Then working at a children’s home in 1993 I realised it was not
just the woman effected by domestic violence. The more I worked with children
the more I realised it was families I needed to work with to deal with the
issues and to see change.” She said “After that experience I think I always
knew this is what I would do, and since I started Betterdays I saw a child I
worked with in the children’s home in 1993 come to the home as an adult. This
confirmed it for me and gave me insight into where the problems start.”
“I returned to Liverpool in June 2010 from living in L.A.” Cynthia
smiled “I love Liverpool. I wanted to do something for Liverpool and for
myself. Liverpool has been good to me. I
have lived in Birmingham, Germany, Canada, L.A. lots of places. There is
something about the people of Liverpool. If people like you, you are friends
who become family. I don’t feel like I am away from my family because of the
people I have around me. So setting up this home is what I wanted to do to give
something back to Liverpool. I had a
friend who had finance to invest which was fantastic. With the exception of the
help from The Women’s Organisation we have done everything ourselves.”
Cynthia knew what she wanted to achieve and found she could
receive free advice and guidance from The Women’s Organisation to get her idea off the ground, as part of the Big Enterprise in Communities (BEiC) project funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
“I did the [Women’s
Organisation’s] start-up business course which was very informative and
helpful. Whatever I wasn’t sharp on it tightened up for me. I was also put with
a business adviser. She was marvellous! I know I can call her if I have a
problem. That is priceless.” Cynthia advised “We all like to think we know what
we are doing, but two heads really are better than one. I believe that if we have 2nd, 3rd
and 4th opinions to weigh up then mistakes become less. That advice
and second opinion was the best thing The Women’s Organisation gave to me. It reassured me and showed me I was on the
right path.”
Cynthia knew there would be a demand for what she was offering and
wanted to make sure she got it right.
“This is an idea I have had for years, and something I have always
wanted to do. There is such a great need for homes focussing on domestic
violence.” She said “Previously to running my business I was working for a
housing support agency. This gave me
insight into what was going on. I got to
the point where I had worked in every shelter and could see the need outweighed
the provision available. There were never enough beds to offer. Local police seem so glad that we are open.
They were taking local people to Wales as there just wasn’t enough provision
locally. This was such a shame for local women to be moved so far form their
community. I think it is important for them to be near family.”
Betterdays homes have a 4 bedroom family orientated house based in
Liverpool for victims of domestic violence. The house accommodates both women and
their children and has CCTV, 24 hour service calls and CRB checked staff.
Cynthia told us “Women tend to stay with us between 1 and 3
months. It really depends on the needs of the person, we are flexible, but it
is really a transitional place. The most
rewarding thing is watching how the ladies change. They start coming into themselves. What we do is very important. It is saving
families, saving lives. With other services I had worked in I saw women in
individual units, isolated. What I love
is that this is a house, which means conversations happen in the kitchen or the
living room. It has a home feeling. Our
clients don’t feel institutionalised or left alone as can happen. Community
leads to healing and that is what we encourage here.”
Betterdays homes work with other agencies to offer a well-rounded
support to the women resident there including support around mental health,
domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse.
Betterdays also run their own group sessions looking at issues such as
diet, self-esteem and confidence.
“The clients we work with gel and support each other. That shows
me I’ve made a good choice. And since opening everyone has been pitching in. We
had so many donations of baby clothes and food donations. That has been great
support. It would be difficult without support. The women need support and I
need support.”
Looking back on her decision to set up her own business Cynthia
feels she has made the right decision for her.
“I look forward to work every day. It doesn’t feel like work. I
don’t know anywhere I would rather be. My dream is to expand, and we have got
our eye on the next space. I don’t have much time to think about what I have
achieved. It is not a glory thing, it is a necessity. I was just the vessel to
make that happen.”
If you would like to find out more about Betterdays Homes and the
great work they do contact Cynthia on betterdayshomes@mail.com or
07904857654.
If like Cynthia you have a passion that you would like to turn into
a business or social enterprise then contact The Women’s Organisation for free
support today on 0151 706 8111 or info@thewo.org.uk 
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