Help The Haven Wolverhampton create safe, warm and welcoming spaces for women and children rebuilding their lives after domestic abuse through the Make a House a Home project.
Seeking safety should not mean losing the comfort, dignity, and moments of normality that make a place feel like home.
Leaving home because of abuse often means leaving behind far more than bricks and mortar. It can mean leaving behind the small routines, comforts, traditions, and familiar things that make a place feel safe and like home. For many women and children arriving at The Haven, there is grief alongside relief; grief for the life interrupted, the memories attached to home, and the fear that family traditions, celebrations, and everyday normality may be lost in the upheaval.
When women and children arrive at The Haven, they are stepping into safety. But they are also stepping away from everything familiar. We know that safe accommodation will never fully replace the homes they’ve left behind. But we also know this:
Small things can make a difficult space feel softer, more dignified, and more like somewhere you can exhale.
A familiar duvet.
A birthday still celebrated.
A Diwali light, an Easter egg hunt, a Mother’s Day card.
A child taking their bedding with them when they move into their forever home because it’s become part of what feels safe.
These things may seem small but they can provide comfort, continuity, and reminders of who you are beyond the crisis.
What this project provides
The little things that make a difference
Through this project, our teams can access funding to provide essentials and meaningful extras, including:
Everyday essentials
- Bedding, pillows, and mattress protectors
- Towels and bathroom items
- Kitchenware and small appliances
- Cleaning supplies
Making spaces feel lived in
- Lamps, cushions, soft furnishings, and storage options
- Art and simple touches that bring warmth
Supporting families
- Baby bundles, cots, and nursing chairs
- Items that support early motherhood in safe spaces
Moments of normality
- Birthday celebrations and seasonal events
- Cultural and family celebrations
- At-home activities like baking, crafts, and movie nights
Outdoor and wellbeing
- Paddling pools
- Gardening tools and activities
Could you help us bring comfort?
How you can support
There are many ways to be part of this work:
Donate
Help us continue providing essential items and meaningful extras as and when they are needed. Making a real difference each day. Click here to make a donation.
Give practically
We welcome support that helps us provide the items that turn spaces into places people can live in, not just stay in. Click here to discuss with the team.
Partner with us
Fundraise for the Make a House a Home project as a business or community group to support safe, dignified living environments. Click here to discuss with the team.
The impact of your support
More than housing…
Every contribution helps create spaces where women and children can begin to feel: Seen. Heard. Safe.
Not just housed, but supported, respected, and able to begin again.
Your support helps us go beyond providing a roof over someone’s head — creating spaces that feel warmer, more dignified, and more comforting during incredibly difficult times.
We’ll keep you updated on how the Make a House a Home fund is being used, sharing the moments of comfort, care, and normality your support has helped make possible.
With thanks to our grant funders
Before Make a House a Home became a public fundraising campaign, this work was made possible through the generosity of grant funders who recognised the importance of creating safe, dignified, and welcoming spaces for women and children affected by domestic abuse.
Their support helped provide not just practical essentials, but moments of comfort, normality, and care during incredibly difficult times.
Over the last 12 months, grant funding has helped us provide:
in food vouchers provided
in baby essentials provided
activity days delivered
spent on new towels
women and children supported through MAHAH
spent on new bedding
women supported with security equipment
Funding has also supported bedding and household essentials, toiletries and laundry items, cultural and seasonal celebrations including Diwali, Eid, Halloween, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day, as well as slow cooker sessions teaching affordable and practical meals. It has also helped provide shared furnishings and everyday touches that make communal spaces feel warmer, softer, and more welcoming.
Together, these contributions have helped transform accommodation into spaces offering not just safety, but dignity, comfort, stability, and belonging.
Words from our funders
Our foundation is pleased to have been able to support The Haven Wolverhampton with a donation to their Make a House a Home initiative.
When we read your application, we couldn’t believe that this was still such a huge issue for women. We knew we wanted to support this and ensure every woman gets a new start!