A refuge is a safe house for women and their children fleeing domestic violence. It is a place where women can be sure they are safe and where they can access emotional and practical support from staff who understand what they have been through.
You may be arriving at one of our refuges after experiencing months or even years of abuse by a partner or close family member. You may have become isolated from family and friends and your self-esteem may be low. Making the decision to leave the family home is not an easy one, as you do not know what life will be like in a new environment. To make the transition as easy as possible we offer support on emotional and practical issues. We recognise that every woman is an individual with her own needs and support requirements.
All our residents are offered basic counselling and practical support in many areas, including:
Budgeting and welfare benefits
Finding a new home
Accessing local health services
Gaining legal advice
Accessing education and training
Finding local social and cultural activities
We have refuges in Leicester city and in the county, plus some individual properties around the county.
How to Access this Service
To access refuge accommodation for yourself or a family member / friend, call the local helpline who will talk you through the steps.
The helpline number is free and won’t show up on your phone bill. It is open 8am – 8pm on Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on weekends and bank holidays. The number to call is: