Queen Consort visits Battersea domestic violence charity

The Queen Consort visited Battersea yesterday (Thursday 9 February) where she toured the STORM Family Centre.

A domestic violence charity founded on the Doddington Estate 19 years ago by Marie Hanson MBE, STORM has expanded its work in the local community to include counselling, a nursery and employment support.

Her Majesty met with volunteers and local people, including people who STORM supported through domestic abuse. She also toured the centre and saw demonstrations of other initiatives, including trying her hand at an art class.

Leader of Wandsworth Council Simon Hogg greets the Queen Consort

She was shown around by Marie with other guests including the Mayor of Wandsworth Jeremy Ambache, Leader of Wandsworth Council Simon Hogg and supporters of the centre entrepreneur Kanya King CBE and Rose, Bishop of Dover.

The Queen Consort cut a cake for the centre's 19th birthday, and unveiled a plaque celebrating her visit. She told Marie Hanson "I want to say a huge thank you to you for all you are doing to help the victims of domestic violence. I feel very privileged and honoured to have come and visited you all today."

The Mayor of Wandsworth with the Queen Consort

"It was such an honour to visit STORM today and meet Her Majesty," said Cllr Ambache. "The centre is such an important part of the local community and I'm delighted its work has been recognised in this way."

Find out more about STORM's work in the local community.