Home

Our services

The Refuge:

BAWSO runs three purpose built refuges in Cardiff, Newport and Swansea, which can accommodate 31 families. Domestic Violence Support Workers, Child Workers and Volunteers, ensure that we provide emotional and practical support to women in the Refuge. We respect and celebrate diversity by using paid/unpaid workers from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds and also by providing facilities, which include a prayer room and halaal/vegetarian kitchens. The aim here is to provide a safe and enabling environment for women and children.

The Advice and Information Centre:

At least one Domestic Violence Support Worker together with volunteers staff these centres. BAWSO has an open door policy so if we are unable to meet a woman's need we will refer her to another relevant agency.

Opening hours : Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm

Childcare Project:

The majority of women who use our services have large families.  With pre school and school aged children. When children come into the refuge they may have left their only friends and relatives and might also have been subjected to abuse.

BAWSO acknowledges that these children need as much support as mums. Our Childcare Support Workers who do a variety of work with the children individually and in groups. We also work closely with schools, social services, health services and other children's organisations.

Outreach & Resettlement Work:

Outreach/Resettlement Workers assist women to resettle into the community after staying in the refuge. Families leaving the refuge may be particularly vulnerable and the Outreach Workers provide tapering support as the family begins to live independently. Work is also undertaken with women who are unable to access the refuge. We meet the woman in a safe and confidential environment and provide support and information to enable her to make informed choices.

Floating Support:

In partnership with Cardiff County Council we have a Floating Support Scheme which provides support to Black &Ethnic Minority Women living in Council, Private and Housing Association accommodation. The Floating Support Team will provide support to all Black & Ethnic Minority Women irrespective of whether they have suffered domestic abuse. Support will be provided on general advice and issues such as immigration, migration, resettlement support, life skills, disputes with neighbours, budgeting, welfare benefits, education, training and general counselling. The scheme aims to ensure that Black & Ethnic Minority women are given every chance to successfully maintain their tenancy with Cardiff County Council and that they live empowered lives.

Volunteering:

BAWSO relies on the hard work and dedication of volunteers to provide holistic service to women and children suffering from or fleeing domestic abuse. BAWSO recruits volunteers to work with us to provide the best possible service for one of the most vulnerable groups in the community.

Language Support:

BAWSO set up an interpretation and translation project to provide structural services to our service users and other agencies.

  • To enable women from ethnic minorities fleeing domestic abuse with support in terms of communication and to understand the issues that are relevant to their lives
  • To enable the women to understand their rights and to support them in seeking help from outside agencies that will improve the quality of their lives.


Information & Research:

BAWSO Information and Research Project is set up to

  • document and provide an in depth knowledge of Black and Ethnic women and children's experiences and the services required to meet their needs in order to inform any future policy making and development or refute service provision for BME women.
  • Enhance and develop information gathering strategies and systems on domestic abuse and its effects on women and children.
  • Enable the development of a range of domestic abuse information and resources, including publications, briefings and electronic information.

Education and Raising Awareness

This project was set up to provide in depth knowledge of the effects of domestic abuse to service providers.  Presentations and training sessions have been delivered to various organisations.  As it is felt there is a lot of work to be done in this area to raise awareness not only on domestic abuse but to inform agencies and service providers about the many layers of issues facing BME women and their children whey they decide to leave an abusive relationship.


24 hours Help Line:

Immediate access to our services can make the difference between life and death for women fleeing domestic violence. BAWSO maintains a 24 hours help line, which enables us to provide support at all times, day or night, 365 days of the year.