Referrals
Begin the process of moving to Gilgal
Call us: 0800 008 6622
Email us: mail@gilgalbham.org.uk
If you are in immediate danger, dial 999 and ask for the police
How it works
Contact us using the details above – if you have particular needs e.g. accessibility, mobility, mental health support, please make sure you provide this information so that we can assess if we are able to support your needs. Our staff will review your request and determine if we can help you.
If we are unable to accommodate you for any reason, we will refer you on to another organisation for further assistance.
Community guidelines
We will:
- Provide accommodation for you and your children.
- Support you with trauma-informed counselling sessions.
- Offer play therapy sessions for children.
- Help you with tasks such as applying for nurseries, schools, benefits, GPs and dentists.
- Help you through our person-centred approach. Our aim is to help you rebuild your life in the way you wish. The support you receive is unique to you and based entirely on what you want and need, so that everyone has the same potential of future success.
- Invite you to shared activities and trips, as well as engage in the community life of the refuge.
- Help you to rebuild your life through education.
- Give you a fresh start and support you in regaining your independence.
You will:
- Work with us and attend counselling sessions.
- Engage with community life by attending activities and trips.
- Pay rent.
- Follow our ethos and principles, by showing respect and tolerance to your fellow residents.
- Keep the environment safe for other residents by not using drugs or alcohol on our premises.
- Respect other residents’ privacy and security by not sharing their names or stories with others outside the refuge.
- Maintain our secure location.
We expect our residents to respect us and others in the refuge; you are being given an amazing chance to start your life over with dedicated support in a welcoming, friendly environment. By beginning your referral process, you are agreeing to follow our community guidelines; residents who break them in any way will be asked to leave the refuge.
Is Gilgal the right place for you?
Gilgal is a refuge for women and children who are escaping domestic violence, and need to be kept safe from those in their home who would do them harm. Please understand that we can only help those who are in a situation where there is threat of physical or emotional harm. We are a single sex service open to women of all faiths, cultures, backgrounds and sexualities.
Read the below literature to support you with filling out your form. If unsure, you can contact us and chat on our helpline – we can walk you through the referral process and any questions you might have. We are also on hand to discuss your referral after you have submitted it, so if you feel you are in danger, do not hesitate to submit the form and discuss it with us after.
Due to the limits of our current accommodation, there are circumstances when we may not be able to admit you even when we have a room available. We have limited mobility access and the refuge is not wheelchair accessible. Our largest rooms can house families of mum and two children maximum. If you have a larger family, we are not able to accommodate you at this time; we can, however, support you in finding alternative accommodation. Our support is tailored to the survivors of domestic abuse; we are only able to accept those who have genuinely suffered domestic violence and are fleeing from it. If you have been made homeless for reasons other than domestic violence, there are many charities in the local area that are better designed to support you. We cannot accept minors; all residents must be over the age of 18 or accompanied by their guardian over the age of 18.
If we are unable to help you, our team will refer you on to another service who can assist you further. Please do still get in touch if you are unsure on whether we can accommodate you or if you are unsure of where else to go. We have an extensive support network and will help in any way we can.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If it is unsafe for you to speak on the phone, after dialling 999 press 55 for the silent solution. You can also text 999 if you are unable to call them.