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Emergency accommodation

Who can access refuge?

Our refuge is here for women and their children who need a safe place to escape domestic abuse. Whatever your situation, we will listen, support you, and help you find the right options for safety and care.

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We welcome:

  • Women aged 16 and over, with or without children.

  • Women who have experienced domestic abuse in any form — including coercive control, emotional, psychological, financial and physical abuse, as well as 'so called honor based abuse' and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

  • Women who have been raped or sexually assaulted.

  • Women from all backgrounds and abilities, including those with additional support needs such as mental health challenges or substance use.

  • Families with no income or no recourse to public funds.

 

⚠️ Please note: our current refuge is not accessible to wheelchair users. If this affects you, or if our refuge isn’t the right fit, you can use the search tool below to find other safe accommodation and support services or call the national helpline who can help you find a suitable space in safe accommodation.

Routes to support

We are still working on this area of our website. If you need refuge contact the national helpline on 0808 2000 247 

Costs

There are two costs linked to staying:

  • Rent: If you receive benefits such as Income Support, ESA, JSA, or Universal Credit, Housing Benefit will usually cover this. If you are working, there may be a rent contribution — our staff will explain this when you call.

  • Service charge: A small weekly cost per adult resident, covering essentials like heating, lighting, cleaning products, water, and cooking facilities.

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No woman will be turned away because of income, and you will not be asked to leave work to access refuge.

How to get help

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You can get advice or make a referral to refuge by:

  • Calling us directly on 03303 551122, or

  • Contacting the 24-hour helpline on 0808 800 0340

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If you’re unsure whether you are experiencing domestic abuse, please get in touch. We can support you to explore your situation and connect you to support programmes such as The Freedom Programme, or Own My Life — all free and accessible locally.

What happens when you call?

When you call, a support worker will:

  • Talk with you to make sure you are safe.

  • Complete a referral form with you.

  • Let you know the same day if we can offer you a place in our refuge, or guide you to another safe service if not.

 

If you are accepted, we’ll arrange to meet you in a safe location and bring you to the refuge.

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