Refuge – Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother, & Wealden <br />
Refuge offers safe, short-term, supported refuge accommodation for women & children experiencing domestic violence. The service is available to women (minimum age 16, no upper limit) and their children (both genders, up to 18yrs), and women without children. We may accept ex-offenders and women previously evicted from refuge accommodation. We may also offer services for women with mental health or drug/alcohol dependency support needs, including women on a methadone programme. Women with no recourse to public funds may be accepted depending on funding. We are based in five confidential locations in Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother, and Wealden districts.<br />
We offer safe short-term accommodation, with key worker support during office hours. Advocacy, information and support regarding domestic violence issues, including risk assessment, safety planning, housing advice, benefits advice, help with budgeting, life and parenting skills support, practical help and legal support. We have 2-3 workers at each refuge and staff are on site on weekdays. Overnight and weekend staff are on-call for emergencies and referrals. Rental charges (variable dependant on which refuge); mostly eligible for Housing Benefit; small ineligible weekly personal charge – discussed at point of referral. <br />
Referral Process / Criteria: We accept self or agency referrals by phone. Staff carry out first level needs and risk assessment prior to offering accommodation, based on discussion with client and any relevant agencies. Eligibility criteria apply (available on request) and referral process applies.