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About Us

Welwyn Hatfield Women’s Refuge and Support Services is an independent local agency ( Registered Charity No. 1156186 ) providing services for women and children who have experienced domestic violence or abuse. We are an independent organisation run by women, for women and we are full members of the Women’s Aid Federation of England ( WAFE ).

The organisation was set up in 1990 when concerned members of Welwyn Hatfield Council invited women in the community to a public meeting to address the locally unmet needs of women living with domestic violence. Welwyn Hatfield Council remain supportive of us and our work. We would not be able to operate without their continued commitment.

OUR AIM

To provide safe accommodation and help and support in the community to women and children who have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Welwyn Hatfield Women’s Refuge and Support Services (WHWR) seeks to work towards and end to violence against women and children in the home and outside. Towards this ultimate end we seek to meet the following objectives:

  • To provide safe temporary accommodation, advice, support and information to women and children fleeing domestic violence and abuse.
  • To offer specific services for children.
  • To provide Outreach support to women who choose not to use the Refuge for temporary accommodation and to ex resident women and children.
  • To offer emotional support to women who have experienced violence and abuse.
  • To plan and facilitate Domestic Violence Awareness and Good Practice training to external agencies.
  • Multi-agency work and networking.
  • Advocacy.

Women from all cultures, races, classes, sexualities, ages and levels of ability experience domestic violence and abuse. Whilst each woman’s experience is unique to her we are aware that many issues may profoundly affect her, for example her access to services, who she can confidently ask for help, what she is likely to lose if she leaves the relationship, whether she feels she will be believed, does she risk losing her children? We are always mindful of each woman as a unique individual and how her difference can affect her life and the choices she makes. We will endeavour to ensure that informed choices may be made. We will promote self determination and offer support to achieve this.

We recognise that not all women are ready to permanently leave abusive relationships. They may use the Refuge for respite rather than making a final break, they may simply want to talk to Refuge staff or join a group. We will support them in any decision they make, providing no child is at risk of abuse.

Children make up two thirds of our client group and we have a priority to provide services to them. It is important that they know they have a right to live free from violence in our Refuge. To this end children in Refuge must not be smacked or physically punished. We encourage and support women to find non abusive ways of disciplining their children. We are also aware that recent research has shown links between domestic violence and child abuse.

We are aware that some women may continue to need our support when they are safely resettled. To this end we will make our services available through regular drop in groups and the telephone helpline.

We will work positively with external agencies – both statutory and voluntary – to try to ensure that women and children who have experienced violence and abuse receive sympathetic treatment. We will also assist external agencies with domestic violence training events, awareness raising and good practice issues.

To read our Accounts and Annual Reports please use this link to download:
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5044930

CONTACT US

Contact us at admin@whwr.org
HERTFORDSHIRE

By phone on: 01707 373743

By email: admin at(@) whwr.org