Posted on 09 December 2024
How our Helping Hand Fund supports victims of domestic abuse
To recognise White Ribbon Day and the following 16 Days of Action, we’ve shared the stories of two of our customers Nancy* and Laura*. The stories highlight the range of support we can offer to our customers affected by domestic abuse.
Our support includes: helping customers access refuge accommodation; our Priority Move process; helping customers move home when they’re in great need; one-to-one support offered by colleagues from our Tenancy, Empty Homes and Lettings and our Advice and Advocacy teams; support from managing agents and a whole host of others who come into contact with our customers.
We also have our Helping Hand Fund, which we launched earlier this year. This consolidated several smaller funds (including our Domestic Abuse Fund) into one large, more easily accessed source of financial help, which supports our customers who are experiencing a crisis.
In Nancy and Laura’s stories, our Helping Hand Fund was used to help them and their families settle into their new Hyde homes after moving out of refuge accommodation, by providing white goods, beds and mattresses, and carpet. Many women who leave their abuser do so without taking anything with them – just the clothes they’re standing in. Women who need refuge accommodation are often already experiencing financial hardship, meaning that when they get their new home they must choose between living without furniture or taking out expensive loans.
Our Helping Hand Fund meant that Nancy and Laura could move into their new homes without this additional worry. As Laura said:
“Without the grant, I would still have no cooking facilities and no fridge. I’m so grateful for the items I received.”
But the help doesn’t have to stop with furniture and white goods. Our Helping Hand Fund provides a range of support for customers affected by domestic abuse during a time of crisis. We can provide help with moving costs, storage of items during the transition between homes, travel costs when people move area for their safety, food vouchers, home safety improvements (provided by our partner ‘Safe Partnership’), access to therapy, and even short-term hotel accommodation if needed for safety.
Hyde’s Charitable Trust and Fundraising Manager, Lucy Norgate, said: “We understand that domestic abuse cases are complex and customers are often in very unique and difficult situations. Last year we provided £36,000 in funding to support domestic abuse victims and survivors– it’s great to know that we can support our customers in urgent need.”
Find out more about how we can support you
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic abuse you can access help and support from the National Domestic Violence Helpline, Women’s Aid and Refuge on 0808 2000 247.
If you or others are in immediate danger, phone the police on 999.