Since it first opened in 2019, our LGBTQ+ Safe Space has provided accommodation and support for members of the LGBTQ+ community who are unable to continue to reside in their current home. We aim to support people from the LGBTQ+ community escape from and survive domestic abuse, discrimination and hate crime.

Whilst residing at Safe Space residents access a service that offers practical and emotional support, providing a person centred approach through coaches who hold specialisms in working with people from the LGBTQ+ Community and working with victims of domestic violence. Our strengths based support packages cover areas such as:

• The trauma that have led them to require such accommodation.
• Safety planning, both emergency and long term.
• Finances, benefits and budgeting.
• Healthy Relationships.
• Housing and moving on to independent living.
• Routes to gaining meaningful employment or education.

Each resident receives coaching sessions that are personalised to suit their individual needs.
Safe Space works with many partners including the Local Authority and Voluntary Action service.

We have worked with local partners in the area, including Women’s Aid, who provide an LGBTQ+ IDVA service, Out of the Can, a local LGBTQ+ youth group and The Diversity Trust. There is a focus on the individual’s mental wellbeing through Coaching and partnership working with other local services, with the overarching aim being to support individuals to seek employment, education, and ultimately a positive move-on to independent accommodation.
To this end we have developed our partnerships with Building Bridges, the local skills provider who offer our customers opportunities to develop their skills and access employment, education and training opportunities.

We also developed our partnership with the local NHS Sexual health team in order to promote and encourage safe sexual health. This includes access to contraception and the opportunity to have a PEPSE assessment referral at the point of intake if necessary or a general sexual health screening assessment.
We are committed to raising the profile of support for victims of all categories of abuse and hate crime in the LGBTQ+ community through the provision of the Safe Space. We are excited about the positive outcomes this service has provided and believe it is an invaluable asset to those seeking a safe space to live, grow and thrive.

1. Ace Spectrum Communities
2. All LGBT+ Communities
3. Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnicities
4. Intersex/Variations in Sex Characteristics (VSC)
5. People of Faith
6. People over 50