Our core work is to provide emergency refuge accommodation, for women and children escaping Domestic Violence. We have 5 refuges and can accommodate up to 40 women and 55 children at any one time. There is a large family hostel and during the summer, we had around thirty children living there at one point. We have a hostel for single women and three smaller family hostels, one of which is designated specifically to support Asian women. We have specialist staff working across all the hostels, for example, Welfare Benefits Advise Worker, Resettlement Worker and a second position for Resettlement and an Asian family support worker.

We carried out a review of our staff establishment last year as we worked towards Supporting People, and we were able to increase the number of staff in the hostels in a bid to work towards achieving the government’s and Women’s Aid Federation’s recommendation of 1 member of staff to support 4 women.

The Haven’s Referral Line operates 24-hours a day and will always be answered by a member of staff, not by a machine. Referrals also come from a number of local agencies including:
- Social Services Departments
- Local Authority Housing Departments
- The Probation Service
- The Samaritans
- The Police
- Citizens Advice Bureau
The Referral Line Administrator’s position has gone through rapid changes of late, and these changes have been implemented due to requirements of monitoring and review through Supporting People. A data base has now been developed to enable statistical information to be accessed quickly which will contribute to funding bids.

We are also working in partnership with Focus Housing and developing a refuge to support women suffering mental ill health as a result of Domestic Violence. We have acquired a site, drawn up draft plans and are now in the process of securing funding, which in the voluntary sector, is always one of the biggest challenges that we face.

We are still waiting to hear from the government how to bid for and secure revenue costs for a new supported housing project, as without this, we will not be able to secure capital funding from the Housing Corporation. Services have developed within the refuges with regards to activities for the women. Craft activities are growing due to the staff being able to access funds via the Learning Skills Council. Various outside agencies have run sessions in the refuges such as Computers Skills and Reflexology. Partnership working with outside agencies is being encouraged to en able us to deliver an holistic approach to the needs of our residents.

A key working approach has been developed at our large family hostel which enables the women to access the same family support worker there by avoiding having to repeat her needs several times to different staff. The Haven is currently developing an internal team of staff which is to bring together expertise, knowledge and experience of mental health, there by allowing us to deliver a co-ordinated package of service to our residents.

Through Domestic Violence, I lost my home of seventeen years, I lost my job of twelve years and came to Wolverhampton with nothing but the clothes I stood up in, but it was something I had to do. When I arrived here almost nineteen months ago, I was in deep distress, almost suicidal and, not knowing Wolverhampton at all I was also very frightened. I didn’t know what to expect or what to do, having never been in a Hostel before .I registered with a GP in the area and had medication to calm me down, slowly but surely, with help from Haven staff and through Counseling, I started to get my confidence back.

I made some good friends with other residents, some with children and soon I started to feel safe and secure, my confidence grew more and more and I began working as a volunteer at the ‘Clothesline’ Charity Shop, again I grew stronger and stronger within myself.

I spent ten months in the Hostel and then got a Council flat. At first it was quite scary building up a home again but I overcome my fears, have managed to paint and decorate two rooms and I’m determined to finish the other rooms in 2004, that’s my goal! I have been in my flat over a year now, have managed to work at the Charity Shop up to December 2003 and I now have a part time paid job, life now seems so exciting.

In the twenty months I’ve been in Wolverhampton I’ve made some really good friends, found a paid job and got all my confidence back. I’ve never been so happy, so you see I have survived and moved on with my life …………………….And so can you. There’s no going back Now!

I am successful. I have a home, a husband and all the trappings of a good job. I have professionally developed and have qualifications that would fill this page. I am happy, confident and safe... now! This hasn't always been the case. Many years ago, I found myself trapped in an abusive relationship, and I have a real tough time, especially when I wanted to get out of it, but I am living proof that it can be done. I suffered every type of abuse that comes under the scenario of Domestic Violence. I was battered and kept prisoner. I lost everything, my home, my friends, my money and all of my self esteem. I began to think that it was my fault and would try anything to prevent the abuse that I knew was to follow. I was a quivering wreck and hated myself for letting this happen to me.

One day, I decided that I would plan an escape, (I would have escaped whilst in Maternity but had no clothes and he was there), I ran to the local Housing Office and pleaded with them to let me in. I hid under a desk, cowering like a dog, and for me to escape I had to leave my baby with him! This was a terrible choice to make, anyway the Police were called and I got my baby, but he assaulted the Police and I remember running into an old ladies flat to hide.

As most Domestic Violence survivors realise, it doesn't stop there, I'd get away and he'd find me. I moved 7 times in two years. Then, just as I thought I might be safe, he found me and smashed his way in, I was terrified and vowed that that was the last beating I was going to take. He got a custodial sentence for Actual Bodily Harm and Aggravated Burglary. I was determined to be free of him, and even though I slept on settees in fear awaiting his sentencing, I knew that I had to take a stand against him.

I still moved around, cut ties with anyone that knew him and I set about building a new life. I became anonymous with the Council Tax, so he couldn't trace me. I kept my wits about me, always forward thinking. I studied and worked hard.

I used creative writing to get the pent-up anger out of my system and on to paper, and it was only when reading the verses that I realised the huge amount of suffering.

I eventually started socialising, but could no longer trust men, or myself in making a judgment on men, in fact I was cold and heartless, I guess that I was afraid to be hurt again.

Eventually I did meet someone, 10 years ago now, and we are happily married. He would ask why I flinched when he touched my face, I didn't realise that I did; I suppose it was a learnt reaction.

The Abuser- I've seen his name a couple of times over the years in the paper, always relating to violence against women. However, I have made a new life for myself, it wasn't easy. I am not the same person as I was then. I am stronger, confident and although I am emotionally scarred, I am a survivor. I just wish that in the world of political correctness that more thought was given to survivors and how they are put at risk e.g.. access rights. I smile now to myself at board meetings, when members say how good I am at innovation - I've had to be, it was my route to Freedom.

My dearest little flower, I wish I could take your pain,
You never did any wrong, and now you take the blame,
You are guiltless, but you take the guilt,
I wish that your love for him would wilt,
You are taking the punishment- but have committed no crime,
Your heart is breaking- but will heal in time,
Your brain can't accept that that things have changed,
And you feel so alone and slightly deranged,
You're not thinking straight and wouldn't want to if you could,
But time will help you do the things that you should,

One day when you're stronger, you'll decide you must move on,
And wonder where exactly you thought the sun shone from,
Take each hour as they pass, and each day as they come,
And soon you will find that life can be fun,
This is your dark time, but it won't last forever,
Sunrise follows sunset, and the hurt you will sever,
Remember I love you and will help in any way,
Don't suffer in silence- open your mouth and say,
You're half of me, whatever you say or do,
And that half of me is going to pull you through.

J.C.
Permission to print granted.

He came along and swept me off my feet, Gave me an insight of love I wanted to keep, I gave my all, and even more... To be left with a heart that was ragged and sore, Every precious memory was destroyed before my eyes, And only when it was too late did I wake up to his lies, A heart that once leapt, Was replaced with eyes that wept and wept, Bitter, icy, stone cold tears, Forbearers of terrifying fears, Confusion, helplessness and desperation, They were constantly at my side, And the legacy that was left behind, Left me nearly mortified, I shall never forget that awful dark time in my life, And I remember is still in silence, Yes, I am a survivor of domestic violence, Permission to print granted.