Sahara is a refuge that offers safe supported accommodation in hostel and dispersed settings to black women with children, single black women and white women with black children, all of whom are experiencing or fleeing domestic violence.
Accommodation
Accommodation at Sahara consists of a seven bedded hostel, four self-contained family flats and dispersed accommodation in the community. All accommodation is furnished to a standard suitable for families.
Support services
We offer the following:
- Safe and secure furnished accommodation
- An opportunity to discuss issues in confidentiality
- Support package tailored to the individual needs of the women and their children
- Dedicated keyworker support
- Access to translation services for women whose first language is not English
- Out of hours emergency services
- A dedicated worker for Children & Young People
- A play room
- A worker on duty week days to deal with any phone queries
- Surgeries city wide
Conditions of Occupancy
All clients sign a shorthold tenancy agreement for 6 months. They are supported and encouraged to move on to a safe and suitable home once they are ready and confident to do so.
Confidentiality is essential to the success and survival of this service. Women who are housed are expected to ensure that the location of Sahara remains confidential.
Staff and Management
The refuge is staffed by a Scheme Manager, three Housing Support Workers and a Children's & Young People's Support Worker. Staff are available 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm on Friday. An emergency phone service is available outside of these hours.
Referrals
Referrals can be made by a number of support agencies through direct contact or out of hours phone service. These agencies include Samaritans, Social Services, the Police, Education Services, Health Visitors, other refuges and self referrals. All referrals are assessed and suitable services are offered as soon as is practical. All referrals, assessment and risk assessments are monitored by the Scheme Manager and reviewed by the Senior Manager on a regular basis to ensure that eligibility criteria are being met.
Contact Details
Postal Address: P O Box 94, Leeds, LS3 1DR
Telephone: (0113) 245 8489
Fax: (0113) 247 1280
Out of hours: 07989 567978
Senior Manager: Jenn Bravo
Scheme Manager: Maja Milakovic