More than £1 million has been earmarked to help support vulnerable women and children in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.

The Scottish Government will hand more than £360,000 to Women’s Aid South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire (WASLER) this year in a bid to empower women and young people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse.

Similar funding will be provided in 2018/19 and 2019/20, with the cash being used to provide a range of services, including refuge accommodation and information to those who need it.

Christine Miller, team manager for WASLER, has welcomed the funding boost.

She said: “We live in uncertain times financially, so for a charity to have some stability over the next three years is vital and means we can develop and improve our service.

“One in five women is affected by domestic abuse and a high proportion of children. This money will help alleviate the negative impact domestic abuse can have and try to let those children reach their full potential.”

In addition, almost £90,000 is being handed to Renfrewshire Women’s Aid this year to support youngsters whose lives have suffered through domestic abuse.

Rae Gilbert, children and young person’s outreach worker with Renfrewshire Women’s Aid, said: “Funding is vital for us and this will enable 70 hours of work direct with children.

“We are delighted to get the grant this year and will need to see what happens after that.”

Nationwide, the Scottish Government is making £20m available to organisations which support people experiencing prejudice on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Angela Constance, Equalities Secretary, said: “We are determined to remove barriers that prevent anybody from making a full contribution to the economic, social and cultural fabric of our society.

“With this funding, we are continuing to support and empower people and groups to tackle inequality and discrimination head-on.

“This will help to secure positive and sustained change.”