The Haven Women's Refuge

Helpline/ Referral Line

The Haven Wolverhampton operates a 24 hour service for women and children affected by Domestic Violence and/or Homelessness due to reasons such as family breakdown, harassment and forced marriage. Within that service is the fundamental, all important helpline/ referral Line; this line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Staff are always on hand to offer support and primarily, help in finding safe accommodation within The Haven Wolverhampton's refuge service (if spaces are available) or with other organisations across the Midlands and further afield (if required). A large part of this role is to empower women by helping them to realise that they have choices outside of their current situation.

Helpline/referral staff spend a lot of time liaising with multi agencies, such as Social Services, Housing Departments, Police and Women's Aid projects up and down the country, in order to provide the caller with a wide knowledge of the options available to her. The helpline/referral team are aware of any available space at The Haven Wolverhampton and fulfil the role of advising of availability, in order to keep our refuges at full capacity at all times. Staff advise on alternative accommodation if they are unable to assist due to lack of bed space.

In an average month, The Haven Wolverhampton receive calls from over 1000 women to its helpline/referral line. Time spent on a call can average between a few minutes to an hour and in extreme circumstances a call can last up to 2 hours. We also receive hundreds of calls from women who are not looking for refuge accommodation but simply want to talk to someone who will listen and acknowledge their situation with a non-judgemental view.

For every woman who calls we endeavour to offer the best help and support, and will continue to grow in empathy for the benefit of the women and children.

Call to speak to someone in confidence on:

01902 713001