Advice * Counselling * Training * Information * Volunteering * Education

After many months of planning, fundraising, meetings, negotiating and organising the day finally arrived; on Monday 22 March 2004 the Contractor commenced the "Changing Rooms Make-over" on the A.C.T.I.V.E. Centre. The initiative behind the project was to enable the Floating Support Team to be in one place in order to deliver the essential services to the residents and ex-residents of The Haven. The inside of the building had been left for some considerable time and was therefore in some poor state of disrepair. Slowly, but surely each room was transformed from being cold, dark and dirty into light and warm, with the walls being painted in ivory, skirting and ceiling in white and complimentary blinds, with blue carpet throughout. The same theme was followed through in the Lobby, Toilets, Storeroom, two Counselling rooms and upstairs Office. The kitchen was refitted with Beech coloured units and new work-surfaces in dark green with a contrasting green carpet and matching accessories. The front of the building was also given a "lick of paint" and a new front door, the two trees which were blocking the light to the one side of the building were also chopped down allowing a great deal more light into the main rooms. After six weeks the Team finally moved in and I was able to ask the all time Carol Smillie question, "What do you think; do you like it?" So far the "thumbs-up" has been given by everyone!

To "put the icing on the cake", Jacqui Smith MP (Deputy Minister for Women & Equalities) will be officially opening the A.C.T.I.V.E. Centre on 24 May 2004. On 29 October 2003, The Minister visited the Centre and saw the building in its former state, hopefully she will see a definite improvement!

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity of saying "thank you" for all the hard work and commitment by the Contractors who carried out the refurbishment of the building and to the Trusts who helped fund this project to enable the continuation of a much-needed service to the women and children experiencing Domestic Violence.

Maureen Staddon
PA to the Chief Executive

From January to March 2004, The Haven Wolverhampton received referrals from 340 women and 309 children. We were able to accommodate 133 women and their children.

Thank You from Appeals and Publicity

In response to our Easter egg appeal we received eggsactly what we needed, an abundance of donated eggs from you our supporting public. In all 195 eggs were distributed, not only to our resident 55 children, but to our young single women residents and to the children of clients in the community who are supported by the Floating Support Team. As ever, The Haven is extremely grateful to you all for your selfless contributions in assisting us create a normal environment for those seeking our help. Unfortunately I cannot mention you all here by name, you know who you are, but I would like to show appreciation to supporting community groups like, the Inner Wheel of Wednesfield, Codsall Ladies Tuesday Club, Asda, A.F. Blakemore and (Dickie Dodd) Radio Wolf. A huge thank you is extended to you all.