Helping Hand Project supports survivors and their families who have experienced domestic abuse

Domestic Abuse: the Facts

• Domestic abuse is any incident of threatening and/or abuse between individuals who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.
• 1 in 4 children said that they have witnessed domestic abuse between adult family members. Around half of the incidents involved physical assaults. 
• You may not even recognize that you are being affected by domestic abuse. 

Volunteer Support:

The HHP has a group of well-trained volunteers able to provide support for survivors affected by domestic abuse in the London boroughs of Sutton, Merton and Croydon. 

Volunteers can offer befriending and practical support to help reduce isolation; to offer a listening ear to signpost to other services; and to help prevent family breakdown. 

How to make a Referral:

Self-referral:

1. Contact the co-ordinator by phone or email.
2. Attend the initial meeting with co-ordinator to discuss the type of support required - This can be at Jigsaw4u office or at a venue to suit.
3. Attend an introductory meeting with individually matched HHP volunteer and co-ordinator.
4. Weekly/Fortnightly meetings with volunteer as required. 

Agency referral:

1. Phone or email the project co-ordinator to request a referral form.
2. Complete the HHP referral form and return to co-ordinator.
3. Co-ordinator will arrange an initial meeting with the service-user as above. 

Contact:

Seema Desai - (Merton and Croydon)

seemadesai@jigsaw4u.org.uk

0208 687 1384