What is a refuge?
“A refuge is a place of safety, a place where you are not discriminated against or made to feel unwelcome.” Says Susan, Accommodation and Resettlement Team Leader. “Staying Put refuges are much more than that. Our refuges are places of transformation, where a person can go and it will help to change their life.”
Our refuges for single women or women with children offer a place of safety and can be a sanctuary for healing or a much-needed pause at a time that can be very traumatic for someone experiencing domestic abuse. Everyone has their own unique experiences and individual needs, all of which we aim to work with to support in a holistic way.
Find out more about our accommodation offer here
Why do people come to refuges?
There are many types of services offering different types of accommodation for those in need.
Refuges can be a place of safety for those homeless or at risk of homelessness because of domestic abuse. People may come to a refuge in an emergency or as a planned move. Everyone has a right to feel safe and live free from the threat of abuse. This includes those who have no recourse to public funds due to insecure immigration status.
A refuge can provide a safe space with specialist support from experienced and skilled staff for women and any children and young people. People may want to come to our refuge because they will feel believed and understood. They will have had safe contact from our refuge staff, to discuss their needs and options so they can make an informed choice about their next steps. They will know that our refuge staff will help them navigate through this time in a trauma informed way.
What happens when someone arrives?
We understand that people arriving at refuge may feel vulnerable and afraid. They are on their own, facing a new place to live, new people and circumstances. Our first goal is to make that person and any children or young people feel welcomed. We will help them move into their room, show them around their new living space and introduce them to staff and other residents. Staff will offer a cup of (Yorkshire) tea. Our Children & Young Person’s Support Workers may be on hand if needed to support with the admission process. Paperwork does have to be completed but we keep it to a minimum and take it at their own pace.
“It’s something we do well. We want the people we support to know they’re eventually going to be happier and OK again, we want them to feel like they’re in a place of safety and warmth” Susan states. “Once their initial safety needs are taken care of it’s a place of growth so they can become the person they always have been but have been stopped by circumstance beyond their control.”
We make sure residents have enough food and essentials for their first few days whilst they settle in. Staff will show them around local amenities. “The first week in refuge is difficult, and everyone has different experiences. We make sure residents and their children are really taken care of in those first few days and that everything’s done at their own speed and pace.”
What happens when you live there?
Whilst living in refuge we focus on holistic support. Children also have their own support team and support plans the same as adults. There is lots of support from 121 to groupwork to activities and learning that people can choose to be a part of.
We’ve got an Employability and IT Skills Trainer who runs in-house courses for residents which are resident led. This means that the clients say what they’re interested in and the Employability Trainer will find a course, whether that’s with the local college or learning how to use a computer. Some examples of recent courses include CV writing and interview techniques. Each course is tailored to each client’s needs. We can also refer residents to college courses to help them get jobs.
Our Mental Health Advocate will work with clients who are struggling with their mental health. Courses include mindfulness, wellbeing walks and anything to increase morale and create a safe sense of community and belonging. Recent activities include baking, healthy eating for wellbeing, yoga and crafting.
Finally, there’s the Domestic Abuse Recovery Worker who has just started in post. They work in a trauma informed way, running courses to empower people, increase in wellbeing, self-worth and confidence.
We always try to make Christmas, Eid and other key times special in refuge as we recognise that these times can be difficult. We recently had activities for the children who made lanterns in celebration of the Chinese New Year. We encourage diversity and inclusion and try to make the refuges a place of happiness and joy.
What facilities does a refuge have?
We have a variety of different refuge accommodation ranging from single rooms with communal spaces to self-contained flats. Each refuge is different and has it’s own vibe but all offer the same high standard living spaces. Our self-contained flats have everything from living space, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms. There are also communal spaces including a lounge and playroom for families to use. Other refuges have private bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchenettes or private bedrooms with shared kitchens and lounges. Our Housing & Maintenance team work hard to keep the living spaces safe and comfortable. All refuges are secure, addresses are confidential and all have security lighting and CCTV to provide a sense of safety and provide peace of mind. We have an out of hours service for weekends and evenings including bank holiday for any emergencies.
We have well equipped playrooms in refuges that can accommodate families and garden spaces in all refuges. Our shared spaces can often lead to greater friendships being forged, some that continue long after people have moved on into their new homes.
How long are people in refuge for?
Refuge accommodation is temporary for 6 months. Whilst with us, allocated key workers will work with people around their individual needs. Once settled this will include exploring options for moving on. We do have residents that may stay a little longer depending on their need but also have residents that move onto suitable accommodation in just a few months after arrival! It all depends on immigration processes and housing need and availability in the area of choice. Some people have a really clear plan and goal and leave quickly, others it takes longer but we will continue to offer support to empower, give choice and help clients become tenancy ready.
Are there any strict rules at refuge?
We understand that this is a new environment for residents and adjusting to living in supported accommodation that may have shared facilities can be difficult for some people to start with. We don’t want to impose lots of unnecessary rules when we know people will have come from a controlled environment. However, we have a duty of care to do everything we can to ensure that our accommodation is safe, comfortable and considerate and for the safety, health and wellbeing of everyone that lives and works here. We will always try to provide support in a trauma informed way so that we can better understand and accommodate everyone. Staff will go through the licence agreement and house rules with all clients at admission.
Any other information?
“When people think of refuges, they usually think of somewhere depressing and sad but there’s an upbeat feel to it. Anyone who needs to use a refuge please reach out and make a connection because it can be the thing that changes your life completely. Everyone in refuge is there to help you and take you to the next step in you journey. Being here can be the thing that changes your life for the better and we witness such positive outcomes residents after a stay in refuge. Coming into a refuge really isn’t the worst thing that can happen to you it could be the start of a positive and happy future.
I have the biggest laughs in my life whilst in refuge with the clients and the staff team, we regularly have fun activities running like crafting and baking where we all get together.
The whole team feel honoured to be part of our client’s journeys and feel proud that we are able to help in even the smallest way to empower them so they can start to rebuild their lives.”
Further information
If you need support or further information on how we can help, please call 0808 2800 999.
We help everyone who needs it, so please feel reassured that you can call us and you will be supported.
Our helpline is open from Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm. We close for half an hour at 1pm every day for lunch.