Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What we are doing

As per Government and Public Health England advice for Coronavirus (COVID-19), we are still operating and will continue to provide services and support to those who need our services whilst taking the necessary precautions.

We want to reassure our clients, teams and partners that we are working hard to keep our services open, and make sure that the people who need support will continue to receive it during these challenging and unprecedented times. In order to do this, we are changing how we deliver our services.

We are reducing our face to face contact within our accommodation sites and all community support will be delivered by video calls, telephone or an alternative method chosen our clients.

All group activities, programmes and training are now moving onto our online platforms.

To refer into our services, please call us on 03301 025 811 or make a referral

We are actively working with local authorities to ensure that appropriate and safe accommodation is obtained as far as is possible for those who are high risk and vulnerable to the virus in order to shield them and protect our clients from the spread of the virus. We will of course use our own accommodation where safe to do so, where we do not have accommodation available, any other accommodation sought, as always is out of our control in many cases. Our extended accommodation licence sets out reasonable behaviour for our clients – we uphold these expectations to further protect our clients living in our safe accommodation, including breaches around anti-social or racist behaviour which will include being reckless and not abiding by the latest government guidance in regards to COVID 19.

As the situation with COVID-19 is developing quickly, we are following Government and public health guidance to continue delivering our front-line services whilst minimising the risk to our staff and clients.

Further information and advice will be shared through our website and social media channels as it becomes available.

For information detailing the government response please see the latest government advice

For the latest health advice please refer to the NHS guidance

Staying Safe during the pandemic

We know that this time will be a frightening one for many, but especially for those experiencing abuse. We have put together a number of resources for survivors and the community with advice on how to increase safety and manage health and well-being.

Coronavirus (COVID 19) Safety Advice

Coronavirus - The Community Response

COVID 19 - Coping Techniques

Latest

Ask for J 28th August

As local businesses begin to re-open their doors to members of the community the ‘Ask for J’ campaign opens the door to support for those experiencing abuse.
Ask for J 26th August

As local businesses begin to re-open their doors to members of the community the ‘Ask for J’ campaign opens the door to support for those experiencing abuse.
Ask for J 25th August

As local businesses begin to re-open their doors to members of the community the ‘Ask for J’ campaign opens the door to support for those experiencing abuse.
Ask for J 24th August

As local businesses begin to re-open their doors to members of the community the ‘Ask for J’ campaign opens the door to support for those experiencing abuse.

Live Chat Launch

Safer Places launches new Live Chat service. The new service enables anyone experiencing abuse to chat directly with a member of the Safer Places team. The measures announced to tackle coronavirus (COVID 19) have seen day to day life change dramatically and undoubtedly made it harder for people to access support services as survivors are isolated with abusers with small windows of opportunity to speak. This new service will give survivors the opportunity to access support discreetly.
Safer Places response to the Domestic Abuse Bill second reading announcement

The Domestic Abuse Bill will return to Parliament tomorrow, Tuesday 28th April. Janet Dalrymple, CEO of Safer Places said “We are pleased to see the bill progressing through parliament, especially during this particularly worrying time for survivors of abuse"
Ask for J Campaign

Today Safer Places launch the ‘Ask for J’ campaign across Essex. As local businesses begin to re-open their doors to members of the community the ‘Ask for J’ campaign opens the door to support for those experiencing abuse.
Safer Places receives emergency funding to bolster refuge service provision

Safer Places receives £15,000 emergency funding from Essex Community Foundation to bolster refuge service provision
Safer Places response to the second reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill

Safer Places respond to the second reading of the Domestic Abuse Bill. Rachel Millar, Senior Policy Officer for Safer Places said: “Safer Places are pleased to see the Bill progress through parliament, especially during this worrying time when urgent action is needed to protect survivors. We were particularly pleased to hear just how many MP’s spoke with passion and championed the voices of survivors’ and children whist highlighting matters of concern not currently addressed within the Bill.
Safer Places receives emergency COVID 19 funding
Domestic Abuse Bill 2020 Part 2

The Domestic Abuse Bill has now passed through the House of Commons stage and is one step closer to becoming law having been introduced to the House of Lords; this is a formality and takes place without any debate. The date for the second hearing, where the bill will be considered, has not yet been announced.
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