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West Lancashire District Council
Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council Supporting People
Friends of the Refuge

Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust

LAA Children's Fund

Community Safety Partnership

Not forgetting all the other organisations and individuals to numerous to mention that have so generously given us donations of both cash, food and other goods. If you would like to help to fund the charity, please feel free to contact us, all help is greatly appreciated.

Use Nye Bevan facilities free of charge with our wild cards

We have passes for Nye Bevan Baths where women can access the Gym, Health Suite and baths free of charge & children can go swimming free of charge by contacting their support worker.

A residents view of West Lancashire Women's Refuge.

When I was asked if I would put pen to paper, about my feelings of West Lancashire Women's refuge, I willingly said yes. Although I was asked if I was confident to stand up and talk to people, but regrettably I’m not that confident to do so. Although it would have given me so much pleasure to explain to people how the refuge is important to us victims.

Inside emotionally my feelings are much greater and stronger than I could possibly explain on paper. I myself went through violence for 13 years, partly because I thought there was nowhere to run to. My family was too frightened to take me, because they were scared to. But most of all I was scared of the unknown; I think I had mixed emotions about everything, and also the safety of my children, and a proper home for them. I didn’t know where I was going, but I wanted my children to have a nice and comfortable home, or room nearest to what they left behind.

I wasn’t sure if I was doing the right thing for my children, in my circumstances, I couldn’t afford to make any mistakes, not this time. But when I finally left to go into the refuge, I was relieved as if the burden had lifted. (That I cannot explain), but at the same time my insecurity was missing. I had come hundreds of miles, left my home, my family, to something I wasn’t sure of, scared wasn’t the word.  I’m only thankful, and still till this day, that the refuge took my life seriously enough to take me in.

Not the police, doctors, not anyone helped me, when I needed them, over the years. I was desperate to suicide at times, there was no way out, but my children kept me strong. At one time I thought it was me that was going mad and like all women who suffer domestic violence it must have been my fault.

At the time when I left I had been moved to a second refuge. Unfortunately that was when my young son of three was abducted, my ex husband sadly once again had found me, the same as over the years. That was when the CID moved me to another area, now the police was starting to understand just how dangerous my ex husband was. The day of my sons abduction, without him I was taken to a solicitor, I was questioned by police, and had to go to court, all on the same day. Although previously that week I went to see another solicitor to tell him that my life was in danger, and if my husband was to find me, he would take my children, in order to get me back home. The solicitor told me to go home and if I find out that he is in the district to go back and see him.

It was too late within 3 days my son aged three was abducted. All that I went through that day being questioned by police, solicitors and courts, I found hard to cope with, I was numb all over with my son missing, I also felt like an animal, cowering as if I was in for some kind of punishment. Most of all I thought that no one would believe me, why should they, they didn’t before, but I hope in future years, that more women have far more courage, and leave there violent and mental abuse homes. Because there is a sanctuary out their if you look for it. When I first arrived at the refuge, I couldn't explain how I felt properly, bewildered might be the word. The police still hadn’t found my child, that day and the police took me to my third refuge. But I’ll never forget the kind face that awaited me with opening arms.

Although the woman was a stranger I just wanted to hold her and never let her go.  From that moment, with the contact from the refuge I knew that I was at a safe haven, and with great relief, my son was found and returned to me. I built a loving trust for the refuge and still today I’m not ashamed of being in a refuge. I don’t feel guilty at all and most of all I’m proud of the refuge and all that they do in it. I call it my safe home, it helped me to stand again and hold my head up high, and now, as time has past by, to live my life to the full again. Its not easy living in a refuge, you have to be strong and the weakest ones sadly go back to their husbands.

We need total understanding, a shoulder to cry on, if you like and also someone to stand beside us, and be strong to rebuild our willpower.  But also hopefully the women that do sadly go back will too make their steps to freedom.  But this can only be done if there are far more refuges, like this one and far more people to understand us victims. Don’t throw us away in a cupboard and forget about us, we are all human. I survived a refuge; I might not have survived my husband. All we need are homes to run to and people who care.

I am living proof of it.

Children and young people facilities

There are various activities for the children to keep them occupied, which are supervised by our qualified play workers. We also have a Multi Sensory Calming Room where mum and children can destress and relax.
Within the refuge we have a large creche/nursery for children from the age of 1 to 14 to relax. There is also a large garden area for the children containing slides and climbing areas. For more information on other facilities within the refuge - go to the refuge tour page.

Events
Each year we have various outings organised by the refuge staff to different places around the country. Past visits have included the Welsh mountain zoo, Colwyn Bay, Blackpool tower, and a trip by ferry across the Mersey! These outings are at highly discounted prices (usually no more than £5) and are open to the residents, ex-residents, and their families. Most recent families visited Farmer Teds

Each year we also have a Christmas party for residents and ex-residents. The party includes entertainment in the form of a disco, a children's entertainer, a clown, or a magician. There is also a buffet and gifts for the children, provided by the refuge.