How we’re helping domestic abuse survivors

We're working with the London Borough of Waltham Forest and local charity Furnishing Futures to deliver safe, affordable, and ready-furnished homes for domestic abuse survivors to move into and rebuild their lives.

Published: 22/01/2024

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Many survivors flee abusive relationships with nothing, worried about the future and potentially facing furniture poverty. With minimal finances, survivors and their families sometimes must decide between living without furniture or taking out expensive loans.

This pilot scheme will offer homes furnished with flooring, curtains and furniture to three survivors and their families who have fled domestic abuse and applied for Waltham Forest social housing after living in refuge accommodation.

To date, Furnishing Futures has helped 88 women and children across London get back on their feet. They have also supported 43 more women and children through their work in furnishing and redecorating women's refuges.

Anya, who the charity helped, said: "I met Furnishing Futures during a very difficult time in my life; I was ending a decade-long abusive relationship. Thankfully, I was given a beautiful home to escape to safety, but it was empty as I couldn't take anything from my marital home. I had to start again from scratch, sleeping on air beds and eating off paper plates.

"Furnishing Futures came to my aid and looked after me, providing essential items at first. They were patient, even when I didn't know what I needed or liked. They furnished the whole flat, so it's beautiful, cosy and feels like home. I started with nothing, but now I can provide a safe environment for my daughters. I don't know what I'd do without their help."

You can learn more about Furnishing Future's work, including how to make a donation or volunteer with them.

Help if you're experiencing domestic abuse

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. It's not just physical - it can take the form of psychological and emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, or controlling and coercive behaviour.

Please don't suffer in silence – we're here to help you. Visit our domestic abuse page to use our online form to arrange a safe time for our Resident Safety and ASB Hub to contact you. You can also call us on 0300 123 3456.

If you're worried about your behaviour and think you might be at risk of hurting your partner or family, you can contact the national support service, Respect on 0808 802 4040.