Refuge

Refuge Accommodation and Support

Our refuge offers safe, emergency accommodation for women and children escaping domestic abuse. We provide self-contained flats or houses with a shared garden space, creating a welcoming and secure environment where families can begin to recover and rebuild. Each family is offered one-to-one, trauma-informed support from experienced and qualified staff who are passionate about helping families move toward safety, independence, and healing.

You can refer yourself or be referred by an agency by calling our helpline on 01254 260465. We’ll talk with you to understand your situation and explore whether refuge is the most appropriate option to meet your needs.

Your safety is our priority and our accommodation is equipped with 24-hour CCTV to ensure safety.

Support available at refuge:

We offer a range of emotional and practical support to meet the needs of each family, including:

• A safe, supportive environment for women and children
  
• Individual support plans and help with additional needs
  
• Weekly house meetings, breakfast groups, and children’s group time
  
• Cultural and faith-sensitive support
  
• Access to counselling
  
• Help with housing, benefits, and financial stability
  
• Support navigating the criminal and civil justice systems
  
• Advocacy and coordination with other services
  
• A variety of educational and therapeutic programmes
  
• Parenting support and advice
  
• Outdoor play areas designed for healing and fun
• Resettlement support when you're ready to move on

Children's Support Services

We understand that domestic abuse impacts children deeply — and that coming to refuge is a big change. Our specialist children’s support workers create a nurturing, fun, and safe space where children and young people can feel secure, express themselves, and begin to heal.

We provide one-to-one and group sessions tailored to children’s needs, helping them to:

• Understand and make sense of their experiences
• Learn safe ways to express feelings and manage emotions
• Build self-esteem and resilience
• Maintain their education with minimal disruption
• Enjoy play, activities, and a sense of normality

We are proud to hold the Investors in Children Award, recognising our commitment to listening to children and responding to their needs. Activities and trips are planned throughout school holidays, and our outdoor play area includes a greenhouse and raised beds for creative, calming play.

Ethnic Minority Support

Our specialist bi-lingual support workers deliver support which is appropriate to meet the cultural and faith needs of victims from ethnic minority communities to help them overcome additional barriers. These barriers mean BME victims often require extra support to achieve social and economic independence. We also provide support to victims who are fleeing forced marriage, honour based violence, female genital mutilation.