Christmas Appeal 2004 It is that time of year when we once again appeal to you our supporting public to help us make a difference to the lives of women and children resident at The Haven by providing as normal a life as possible in a Hostel environment to those seeing refuge from Domestic Violence during the Christmas season. All donations will be graciously received. Modernity dictates high technology, impressive gadgets, even pukka lifestyles but sociologically extreme behaviours by some affect a large proportion of society in today's modern world. Unfortunately the need for refuge provision for victims of Domestic Violence is high on community service provision and we at The Haven do our utmost to bring a quality service to women and children victims. Built in to our provision is the additional need to help support our residents especially at Christmas, bearing in mind these women and children have fled difficult situations and more often than not have absolutely nothing when they come to us for aid.

Through constant practical help from you our donating public we are able to provide these extra little touches that make times like Christmas a memorable event in not only the lives of our resident women and children but for us the staff at The Haven who can observe first hand the appreciation felt by all. We will always be indebted to your kind generosity, not only at the most commercial time of year but throughout the whole year when many individuals, groups and clubs continue to appeal on our behalf for donations of Easter Eggs, Summer play and Harvest, which we have just finished reaping the benefits of. Thank you so much for this support. Your help enables us to value our residents and prop their efforts to strive to obtain a quality of life from which they have been robbed. I know many of you are planning ways to help already by the amount of requests I have received, please know that your efforts are and will be greatly appreciated by our women and children as Christmas day arrives to 'Life in a Hostel'

If you or your group can help support The Haven's Christmas Appeal, please contact me on (01902 572147) for further information.
Rosaleen Ward
(Appeals and Publicity Officer)

Letter from The Chief Executive

Welcome to the Christmas edition of The Haven Newsletter, it is hard to believe that a year has almost passed, already the preparation for Christmas has started within the refuge and our thanks to those staff that are going beyond the call of duty to make this time of year special for the women and children that are living with us. I had hoped to report that the building development for our much needed new domestic violence provision had begun as we informed in our last Newsletters. Unfortunately, there is a need for some cost re-alignment and FOCUS are in dialogue with Builders as we speak; we are hopeful that the scheme will be on site before the end of the year and our thanks to all those involved from the Housing Corporation, Local Authority and Focus for continued support for a much needed provision.

Myself, Jas and other Senior Managers have continued to grapple with the complexities of Supporting People, which is the revenue funding that enables us to deliver the care and support services to women and children resident with us and through our Floating Support Team, which you can read about further on in the Newsletter. Ensuring the culturally sensitive service to a diverse client group is the key to the successful outcomes of a woman's informed choice. We appreciate therefore the additional support that we get at this time of year through the churches that support us, our donors of Christmas extras and our Volunteers' input.

There are many campaigns that raise awareness of domestic violence and the impact on society as a whole; Amnesty International currently are doing this through a Poster campaign these are essential to ensure this injustice perpetrated against women remains high on our agendas.

We know as an organisation that many will not see domestic violence a key priority in their area of work or life, the full implications and reality for women and children mainly occurs when it impacts on someone you know, your daughter, sister or mother. At this time of the year during the Christmas period we anticipate our refuges will be full that means 40 women, mothers, daughters, sisters and their children unable to be in their own home at what should be for those that celebrate at this time of the year a peaceful and happy time.

To those women and children living with us I wish you, our Staff, Volunteers and Board Members a peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Kath Rees
Chief Executive

Page 1
Christmas Appeal
Letter from the Chief Executive

Page 2
Children's Services at The Haven Wolverhampton
Christmas at a glance from the Children's Services
On an information note!

Page 3
Supporting People at Christmas Time
A Tribute to the late Mrs Honor Pringle

Also
The Haven Wolverhampton External Training
The Haven Wolverhampton Donation Form
CRARG Advocacy Training

From July to September 2004, The Haven Wolverhampton received referrals from 610 women and children. We were able to accommodate 105 women and their children.

The Haven Wolverhampton aims to provide quality and sensitive services to women and any dependent children who are homeless through reasons such as Domestic Violence and in need of safety, shelter, stability and support within an environment of equality, dignity and respect.

To provide practical and emotional support to women and any dependent children who access The Haven Wolverhampton by:

In all dealings with clients we work towards enabling the client to make informed choices and to maintain independence.

Business Administration Office:
26, Chapel Ash,
Wolverhampton.

For referrals and 24 hour emergency assistance only, please call 01902 713001.

Our business office number is 01902 572140, fax: 01902 572144.

You can also email us at info@havenrefuge.org.uk

Visit our website at www.havenrefuge.org.uk for details of how you can make a difference.