The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded £294,000 to The Haven Wolverhampton, the Women’s Aid organisation and the city’s leading provider of domestic abuse services for women and children, towards life-saving support for survivors.
The grant, which will be spread across three years, will be used towards funding essential domestic abuse services support roles, as well as core running costs – expenditure that is often more difficult to secure funding for.
Highlighting the demand for women and children’s domestic abuse services, it is estimated that 2.2m women in England and Wales have been domestic abuse victims in the year ending March 2025.* It was also found that more than 6,800 children in the West Midlands were domestic abuse victims between 2022 and 2024.**
The National Lottery Community Fund grant has provided much-welcomed financial relief for The Haven Wolverhampton. This funding enables the charity to continue providing timely, holistic support services to help victim-survivors recover from abuse and rebuild their lives.
The grant will part-fund six specialist roles that directly support victim-survivors, which includes a Helpline Advisor, a Safe House Worker, a Domestic Abuse Key Worker, a Children and Young People’s Service Worker, a Life Skills Worker, and a Counsellor; all roles that will positively impact women and children to overcome their trauma and move towards a safer future that’s free from abuse.
The money will also be used towards core costs, such as maintenance and general outgoings associated with running the head office, expenses that can be challenging for non-profits to obtain funding for.
Steph Boswell, Grants Lead at The Haven Wolverhampton, said:
“When I received the call that we’ve been awarded this grant, it brought tears to my eyes. To secure such a significant sum of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund is, in my mind, like winning the ‘Champion’s League of funding’. It is going to make a world of difference to us at The Haven and directly impact the lives of women and children.
“Domestic abuse services are seriously underfunded, which is a massive concern as the support we give really does save lives. The fact that this funding will be used towards vital support roles to help women and children on their recovery journeys alongside us being able to literally keep the lights on in our buildings, plus other core running costs, is hugely reassuring. We are so grateful of the National Lottery Community Fund for pledging its commitment to women and children in Wolverhampton who are surviving domestic abuse, and ensuring that, by our service, survivors are seen, heard, and safe.”
A survivor shares her experience of The Haven Wolverhampton’s support: “After more than 45 years of marriage filled with fear and control, I finally walked into The Haven Wolverhampton. For the first time, I spoke about the abuse I’d endured in silence. Through one-to-one support and women’s groups, I found my voice and the courage to leave. The Haven helped me understand coercive control, rebuild my confidence, and start over in my own home. Today, I’m independent, safe, and truly free. My parting words to them were simple: I am free and happy.”
The Haven Wolverhampton’s services include The Haven Hub helpline support over the phone, online and in person, its safe accommodation, community outreach, support for children, and recovery services such as counselling and life skills support.
Between 2024-25, 1,800 women and children were referred to The Haven Wolverhampton, on average 2,659 helpline calls were answered each month, and 148 women and 125 children were newly welcomed into its safe accommodation.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please call our free helpline on 08000 194 400 or visit www.havenrefuge.org.uk
ENDS
For more information, contact the communications team:
media@havenrefuge.org.uk
About The Haven Wolverhampton
Established in 1973, The Haven Wolverhampton is the city’s leading provider of domestic abuse services to women and children. Its purpose remains steadfast in supporting victims and survivors to be seen, heard and safe.
Its support services include safe accommodation; support for women living in the community; support for sexual violence; support for children and young people; recovery services including counselling, substance use support and empowerment programmes; legal and financial support and advocacy.
The Haven is fierce in its advocacy for local and global change and seek an end to domestic abuse in all forms empowering victims to overcome their abuse to ensure they are not just surviving but thriving.
- Website (includes Live Chat support): www.havenrefuge.org.uk
- Free helpline: 08000 194 400
- WhatsApp: 07719 558 183
- Socials: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Notes to editors
*Office for National Statistics, data for the year ending March 2025. Women in England and Wales aged 16 years and over.
**West Midlands Police.
