Refuge Accommodation ..
Are you experiencing abuse?
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, and have made the decision to leave your home and seek refuge you can contact us:
Telephone: 0121 440 1443
Address: Wesleyan Building, Birmingham, B4 6ARJ
Agency and self-referrals are accepted by WAITS
If you would like to refer in person, please contact us by phone on 0121 440 1443 or email us via support@waitsaction.org for an electronic referral form.
Refuge Accommodation Explained
WAITS Vision and Mission
Vision: To create a legacy of freedom, empowerment and safety for women and families
Mission: Working collaboratively, equipping women to make positive choices that transforms their futures
WAITS Values
Women-centred:
- We are client focussed
Accountable:
- We empower staff
- We respect and value the diversity of people in our communities
Inclusive:
- We treat people with dignity and respect
- We are committed to fair access to services and employment for all
Trust:
- We act with integrity and honesty
- We are transparent and open on the conduct of our charity
- We preserve the privacy and confidentiality of our clients
Sustainable:
- We deliver holistic, quality services that provide value for money
- We are innovative, using creative solutions to meet challenges
What happens next?
We can provide (subject to availability) refuge spaces in one of our four refuge houses in the Birmingham area, Iona House I, Iona House II, Iona House III, and our latest House Iona House IV.
We provide accommodation for single women, aged 21 and over, that are affected by domestic abuse.
After we receive your call
When we receive your call or referral form we will contact you on a withheld number and ask if you can talk.
At this point you can hang up or pretend we are a nuisance call (we will go along with it).
When you are able to talk call us on 0121 440 1443 we will arrange an assessment appointment for you here at the office.
Address: Wesleyan Building, 3rd Floor East, Colmore Circus, Birmingham B4 6AR
We aim to assess you within 5 working days of receiving the your call / referral.
The assessment involves a few questions around your suitability for the refuge.
What are the refuges like?
Our properties are clean, modern, warm and welcoming. You will have a private bedroom, and shared kitchen, bathroom and living room space. This is shared with others living in the property.
The accommodation provided is small - so you will only be living with up to two other women at any one time.
Facilities included:
- Bedroom usually with double bed
- Maximum of 2 to 3 women in each house
- Shared bathroom with overhead shower
- Shared living room and kitchen
- Each person allocated a support worker
What is provided?
- Water, gas and electricity
- Clean towels, bed sheets, bedding and storage is provided in each bedroom
- Each housemate is given her own set of pans, crockery, cutlery and utensils
Services provided
One to one floating support
Advocacy
- Support groups
- Counselling
- Befriending
- Personal development
- Life skills workshops
- Help getting injunctions
- Peer-led support group
- Courses
What else is provided?
You will be responsible for purchasing your own food and household products etc.
Your responsibilities
You will be required to pay a minimal personal charge (under £10 per week) and to engage with WAITS services.
These are just a taster of some of the support that we offer.
WAITS staff & trustees
Our team is made up of a dedicated and committed team of women from varied backgrounds that share our common Vision & Mission.
This includes full-time, part-time and sessional staff as well as our volunteers and the Board of Trustees.
We also work with a range of other agencies to provide holistic support, ensuring that all of the individual’s needs are met.
A valued fundraiser team
WAITS Ambassadors are a group of innovative and forward thinking people, diverse in their backgrounds, experiences and skills.
But the one thing they do all have very much in common is a passion for helping women who are in crisis!
They provide invaluable fundraising ideas; and then plan, organise and facilitate these ideas, helping us to raise funds to support women in crisis.
Making it all possible
WAITS receives sponsorship and support from a variety of sources and just some of them are featured on this page.
We have also been recipients of awards for good practice and engagement and some of these will be listed on this page.
WAITS has worked with women for almost 30 years. “Women with the power to make and influence decisions and make positive change”
