Introducing SIG Penrose Women’s Refuge

We are excited to introduce our Women’s Refuge Service. This vital service, designed to empower women and help their children to thrive, provides safe, supportive accommodation for women and children at risk of domestic abuse, offering immediate accommodation to help them feel safe and heal from their experiences.

Our refuge service builds on our experience managing similar services in Brighton and Luton, where we provide meaningful support to women at risk of domestic abuse, homelessness, and other significant challenges. Like these, our women’s refuge service offers tailored support at its core. We work as a team to support women and their children in accessing our services and encourage them to lead their journey with us by their side at every step.

Why this service is so important

1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime. Every 30 seconds, the police receive a call related to domestic abuse, and 1 in 8 recorded offences in London are related to domestic abuse.

There is an urgent need for more services to support women at risk of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is a leading cause of homelessness, with many women also facing complex barriers such as mental health and substance-related needs. The women accessing our services are marginalised and experience multiple disadvantages.

Our refuge spaces provide a safe and supportive environment that fosters healing and empowerment. We work in a trauma-informed way. We recognise the need to evolve working alongside the women and children accessing our services to ensure they are seen and heard; we will advocate for their rights and champion the amplification of their voices.

Key features of SIG Penrose Women’s Refuge Service

• Personalised Support Plans: Each woman receives a tailored plan focusing on immediate safety and long-term recovery, addressing their unique needs and developing their confidence.
• Family-Centred Support: A dedicated Children’s and Family Worker provides support for children affected by domestic abuse to meet their emotional and psychological needs. They co-produce a Support Plan with parents and ensure essential access to education and play opportunities.
• Housing Assistance: We support women exploring longer-term housing options, ensuring they don’t face homelessness once they leave the refuge.
• Trauma Stabilisation: We offer trauma stabilisation with our dedicated Therapeutic Worker, who delivers group and individual sessions to explore, understand, and empower.
• Day-to-Day Support: We understand the impact leaving a domestically abusive environment has on families. Our on-site team proactively provides practical and hands-on support to support women with daily activities.

Building recovery and resilience

This service is dedicated to helping women regain independence and confidence and develop the resilience needed to move forward. Our aim is to provide a safe space and comprehensive support to prevent them from returning to unsafe situations, improve their access to mental health support services, and create a pathway to long-term housing solutions.

In partnership with Local Authorities, our goal is to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women and children who have experienced domestic abuse. By expanding our proven support model from Brighton and Luton, we are confident that this service will have a lasting, positive impact.

For more information or to make a referral, please get in touch with us at pwr.referrals@socialinterestgroup.org.uk to learn how we can help women and children build safer, more secure futures. You can also visit our dedicated service page.

Laurel Struthers, Head of Service