Relating to how a refuge ought to look, there is no such thing as a ‘one-size-fits-all’ resolution. Every survivor’s journey is exclusive, and can include totally different wants. For some, because of this the normal mannequin of Refuge lodging isn’t applicable. We work to dismantle limitations and permit as many survivors to entry assist that offers for his or her wants, consistent with necessities of the Home Abuse Act (2021).
That’s why, in March 2023 Warwickshire County Council commissioned Refuge to ship the primary pilot dispersed lodging provision. In depth native analysis highlighted the necessity for equitable and accessible assist, constructing on the already well-established service delivered by Refuge to assist survivors who might have beforehand struggled to entry accommodation-based assist.
The brand new lodging will incorporate assist for a lot of survivors that had been unable to entry conventional Refuge lodging and can present secure havens for Warwickshire residents and other people from outdoors of the county consistent with the Home Abuse Act’s requirement for cross-border assist.
What’s totally different about these providers?
Historically, Refuge’s lodging service consisted of 1 property with a number of rooms and shared services equivalent to loos and kitchens and social areas. Over time, the lodging advanced to supply self-contained properties inside one constructing, the place survivors have their very own area and sole entry to their services. The dispersed mannequin takes this one step additional, giving survivors and their kids sole entry to a home, or a flat, that are unfold throughout a geographical space. As they’re self-contained, dispersed lodging will be supplied to satisfy the wants of a wider vary of survivors.
Who can keep right here?
The dispersed lodging mannequin presents assist for these teams who’ve beforehand struggled to entry lodging. These teams embrace male survivors (with and with out kids), bigger households, feminine survivors with sons over the age of 14, transgender survivors, these with disabilities and older individuals with mobility wants.
Dispersed lodging expands the choice of refuge lodging to those that might not be capable to share services equivalent to loos and kitchens with different survivors.
With bigger properties for sole use, the lodging will be suited to households with greater than three kids, these with older kids and people with pets. A few of our properties are additionally shared between two residents, the place survivors don’t have kids. Shared lodging allows peer assist and reduces emotions of isolation that survivors typically face.
