Tameside Sanctuary Housing Scheme

Help to Survive Domestic Abuse and Remain in Your Own Home

The sanctuary scheme was started in 2005 between Tameside borough council, New Charter Housing  and other Registered Social Landlord’s with the Tameside area. The purpose of the scheme was to assist victims of domestic violence whether they are male or female whom were or were likely to become homeless through suffering from domestic violence to remain safely in their own home by adding security measures.

How does the Sanctuary Scheme work?

Once a referral has been received by the Victim support officer: this can be from a number of different placing,

• The victim support will contact the victim to make an appointment to meet you at your property (if this is possible).
• An initial interview will be carried out along with a risk assessment.
• A crime reduction advisor from the police will carry out an assessment on your property to see what security enhancements are needed.
• Once we have identified that you meet the criteria and security enhancements are required a works order will be placed with New Charter building company. The building company will then contact you to arrange a convenient appointment to carry out the work required. (If you live in a privately rented property, we will have to obtain the permission from your landlord before the works order can be placed).

We aim to complete the work as quickly as possible.

Can the Sanctuary Scheme help me?

• You have been or are likely to become homeless because you have or are currently experiencing domestic violence.
• You have separated or do not live with the perpetrator
• Anyone residing in the Tameside area including Registered Social Landlord tenants, private rented tenants and owner occupiers.
• Your landlord agrees to the work being carried out.
  

After Care

Once you security enhancements have been completed this does not mean you’re on your own, The Sanctuary Scheme along with the Independent Domestic Abuse Advocacy Service run a Support group called LAVA for our clients, the support group runs on a twelve month rotating period where we have a guest speaker talk about their services that are relevant to our client’s i.e. legal help, children centres, financial services, health services and many more. We then have a bit of fun time where we have a quiz and buffet.

We also run a positive for you course; this is a ten week course which is a confidence building course with a domestic violence slant.

Useful Contacts

In an emergency	999
Domestic violence outreach team (Mon to Fri 9am – 4pm) Support with housing related matters, legal protection and child support	0161 234 5341/5328/ 5408/5387
Tameside Domestic Violence Helpline	0800 328 0967
National Domestic Violence Helpline	0808 2000 247
Broken Rainbow  (Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm) LGBT specialist	08452 60 44 60
M.A.L.E male victims advice line	0845 064 6800
Tameside Victim Support	0161 339 1190

If you feel that the Sanctuary scheme is something that would be useful for you, please print the referral form below and sent it to:-Sanctuary Scheme

New Charter Housing Trust Group
CAV 249
Cavendish Street
Ashton under Lyne
OL6 7AT