Ashiana Network is leading on this project funded by London Councils.

The network partnership consists of ‘Ashiana Network‘, ‘Solace Women’s Aid‘, ‘nia project‘ and ‘IKWRO‘; a partnership that has substantial experience and expertise in delivering specialist domestic and sexual violence services.

The Network offers dedicated, safe, temporary accommodation across refuge and second-stage housing and works intensively with women to improve safety and enable them to exit violent and abusive relationships/situations

The Specialist Refuge Network supports women presenting with additional needs such as mental health, problematic substance use, sexual exploitation, trafficking, harmful practices and No Recourse to Public Funds

The key elements of the service include:

• 38 specialist 24-hour refuge and second-stage accommodation bed-spaces and package of intensive targeted support to enhance safety and remove barriers;
• Programme of group-work and workshops to enhance health, wellbeing, living-skills and resilience;
• Resettlement programme to support independence and longer-lasting outcomes;
• Outreach service supporting and enabling women to access alternative refuge accommodation/be supported in independent living;
• Training and awareness-raising workshops for professionals to remove barriers/widen access;
• Developing referral pathways with housing providers to secure alternative accommodation for women at risk and unable to access refuge.