What Middlesbrough Refuge Offers.

Middlesbrough Refuge has been offering support to women since 1976. In 2005 the Refuge became part of North Tees Women’ Aid. As a registered charity with a wealth of experience, NTWA offers a range of holistic services, including accommodation, outreach, resettlement, raising awareness and training around the issues of domestic violence across Tees Valley and Peterlee.

The Refuge offers a safe environment for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Working with trained support workers, practical and emotional support is offered to empower women to make choices about their future. A package of service is offered and tailored to meet individual needs, including immediate emergency support, support for children and supporting women to live safely within the community once they have been successful with their housing application.

Working in partnership with other agencies, the Refuge provides a seamless service to ensure accessibility to external agencies such as Police, Social Services, Housing and the voluntary sector.

Referral to the Refuge can be made through external agencies as well as self referrals. If you feel you need the support of the Refuge, it maybe helpful if you bring some items of identification, this speeds up the process of applying for benefits or legal matters.

Items which maybe useful to bring include:

• National insurance number,

• Passport or birth certificates.

• Benefit book / pay slips

• Bank cards

• Money

We understand it may not always be practical to obtain these documents, but don’t worry, the main focus for us will be your safety and to work with you.

Each room is equipped to accommodate families. Use of renovated communal areas includes a lounge, kitchens, bathrooms and laundry for women to use.

Qualified family support workers work along side with mothers/guardians to provide support with day to day activities. Structured sessions are arranged in accordance to the child’s age. Support is also provided to assist in making decisions such as, education, welfare/health and family law.

As part of the children’s service, respite is offered to mothers/guardians. This is incorporated with day trips to places for both mothers and children.

One to one support is also provided, allowing the children to express themselves in a safe and secure environment.

For the older children, a teenage room allows for quality time and space with access to the computer, computer games, and television.

Women are offered this service once they have successfully left the Refuge and are living within the community. It allows the woman to gain her independence, live safely and integrate within her new community. We look at ensuring the new housing is safe, ensure all benefits / bills are being applied for and general support package is offered on an individual needs basis.

Middlesbrough Refuge can be contacted during office hours on both of the following numbers: 01642 861788 or 01642 225969. Outside of office hours, the Refuge operates an emergency on call system, which is available to assist with emergency referrals or issues that may arise. Workers can be contacted by dialling 01642 225969 and this will automatically reach an on call worker.