Welwyn Hatfield Women's Refuge & Support Services (WHWR)

Who we are

WHWR protects the lives of women and their children including unborn babies whom without our support would be in mortal danger from the perpetrator(S).  Our primary aim is to protect and safeguard high risk domestic violence and abuse victims fleeing from any county in the UK. High risk is defined as women and children who have experienced attempts of, or are at serious risk of, domestic homicide.

WHWR saves & improve lives through a bespoke recovery journey to overcome trauma. We help a number of women and/or children to cope with the extreme & unique stresses they face in their lives and equip them with the knowledge to understand their triggers and how to overcome them. The work we do levels the playing field for this marginalised high-risk group, giving them access to specialist mental health services that they would not otherwise have access to during a time of crisis with 24/7 on-call support and provision of secure accommodation.

WHWR fulfils the secondary purpose in giving relief to these victims who have multiple disadvantages including mental ill-health, financial hardship (Including refugees/immigrants with no recourse to public funding) and other disadvantages, such as fleeing areas of economic and health deprivation, arranged marriages, financial abuse, sexual violence, trafficking and mental health issues as a result of abuse committed by one or more perpetrators.

WHWR delivers services, programmes, and services to the saving of lives within two pillars.

These are SAVING OF LIVES

1. SAFEGUARDING & PROTECTION

2. IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH & REDUCING SUICIDE

Provide 24/7 Physical Security and protection within a purpose-built Refuge

Provide, refer and secure appropriate interventions.

Key workers assess the risk and provide safety plans, non-molestation orders, digital safety safeguarding interventions and advocate for residents during criminal proceedings and court attendance in securing the best outcome including custodial sentences of perpetrator (s). Also attending court as a Mackenzie friend to provide emotional and technical support.

Working in collaboration with children protection services and Safeguarding teams, emergency services and the criminal justice system to keep women and children safe from harm.

Working with the Home Office and relevant government agencies for the right to remain as some of the women and children would be returned to the family of the perpetrator either in the UK or abroad.

Key workers deliver 1:1 support, advocate, and work with Children’s services in the following areas, parenting, safeguarding, safety plans, risk management and digital security. Additionally we work with midwife safeguarding team, during pregnancy, and social services and child protection. We provide support with Criminal and civil justice system, translators, housing resettlement in location of choice, finances and debt management, mental health, counselling and therapy. Domestic violence training and education, addiction support, creating and encouraging independent healthy lifestyle decisions. Driving lessons (grant) for independence, improving work opportunities, online Open university courses, literacy, overcoming sexual abuse, digital safety, immigration and right to remain.

WHWR is a Refuge and support service for women and children fleeing from domestic violence and abuse. The aim is to provide a place of safety, with bespoke personalised safeguarding measures, with direct face to face support for recovery from high-risk abuse and trauma and specific mental health issues (PTSD) including trauma caused by threat of or attempts made to life through domestic homicide and honour killings. We keep women and children safe from harm, improve life chances in leading a healthy well-grounded life embraced by the community after refuge.

8 out of 10 women coming into our refuge have complex mental health needs with suicidal thoughts, intentions, or attempts. All have mental health challenges, and many are on prescribed medication such as anti-depressants, antipsychotic, sleeping pills & mood stabilisers including lithium. The specialist will conduct upon entry the recognised BECK self-report Anxiety Inventory in conjunction with CORE Outcome Measure system. It's imperative we reduce the risk of suicide with safety plans to safeguard.