A CENTRE which supports victims of rape or sexual abuse has expanded its service in a bid to help more people, almost a year after it was threatened with closure.

Over the past year Worcestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre has turned around its fortunes and is now flourishing, its management has said.

And last week the centre expanded its service to open from 1pm to 5pm on Tuesdays and 10am to 2pm on Fridays and, since then, has already helped three more people. Previously the centre, which is a registered charity, had only been operating on Monday and Thursday evenings between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. Chairman Sian Patterson said the idea was for victims to have easier access to the service.

She added: "We really just wanted to get different time slots during the day because it wouldn't be possible some women to access the service in the evening perhaps because of family or it may not be safe for them.

"It's not going too bad at the moment - we've had a few calls but obviously the new hours have only just started so it'll take a couple of months for it to really start."

The centre has a contract with Worcestershire social services and has been running for 20 years, with 32 trained volunteers providing a help-line and face-to-face support.

In the past year it received 108 requests for face-to-face support, gave telephone support to 172 women and dealt with 253 enquiries and requests for information.

Last March, the centre was saved from closure due to a huge funding shortage after thousands of pounds were handed over by organisations and individuals including social services, Worcestershire's Primary Care Trusts and South Worcestershire police.

The centre is now also looking for more volunteers to help out. They need to be female and over 18 and are given full training. Ms Patterson said it was vital that the centre, which has received support from Worcester MP Mike Foster, was allowed to continue its work.

She added: "It's a life-changing event to experience something like that and women need the opportunity to be able to talk it through with someone who knows what they're talking about.

"This gives women the chance to restart their lives and move on from it."

Anyone wanting to volunteer can call 01905 611655. The helpline is 01905 724514.