If you are in immediate danger right now, please call 999. For 24-hour domestic abuse support call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (free, women) or the Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327.
Move-in clearance: resetting a refuge room
When a survivor leaves the refuge for permanent accommodation, the room they leave behind has to be readied for the next placement, sometimes within hours. The previous resident's belongings may need to be packed (if she is collecting them herself), stored (if she is moving on but cannot take everything immediately) or transported to her new address. The room itself needs a deep clean, basic redecoration where required, and a fresh furnishing if any soft items need replacing. We handle all of this as a single booking.
Move-out clearance: setting up the new home
When a survivor moves from refuge to permanent housing — typically a council or housing-association tenancy — she needs help getting her belongings, the refuge-provided essentials, and any donated furniture to the new address and into the right rooms. We do this as standard. Crew will assemble flat-pack furniture, hang curtains, fit a basic kitchen pack, and leave the property habitable. For survivors moving with children we can also set up bedrooms first so the children have their own space immediately.
Framework rates for refuge providers
We operate framework rates with several UK refuge providers and women's-aid services. A typical agreement covers a fixed unit rate per move-in (single room reset) and per move-out (one-vehicle, one-day move from refuge to permanent housing), plus an hourly rate for additional services like furniture assembly or deep cleaning. We are happy to discuss this directly with refuge managers.
Protocols we follow at refuges
Refuge addresses are protected and we treat them as such. Booking confirmations name the road only; the precise address is given to the lead crew member at the start of the working day and never committed to writing. Our vehicles arrive without livery. Crew speak only to the refuge manager or her nominated deputy, never to other residents. We do not photograph the building. Where the refuge has a specific in-house operating procedure for contractors, we work to it.
DBS-checked operatives
Every member of our safeguarding crew is enhanced DBS-checked, with certificates available to refuge safeguarding leads on request. We have several years of experience working in refuge settings and our crew members are briefed before every job on the additional care required.
Frequently asked questions
What service-level agreement can you commit to?
Our standard SLA for refuge framework agreements is attendance within 24 hours of booking, move-in clearance complete the same day for studio and one-bed rooms, and a void-condition report supplied within 48 hours of completion.
Do you provide furniture?
We don't carry stock, but we have established supply lines with British Heart Foundation Furniture & Electrical stores, Emmaus and several local re-use charities. We can collect donated furniture as part of the move-in or move-out and deliver it as part of the same visit.
Can you store a resident's belongings if she's leaving but hasn't found new accommodation?
Yes. We have secure storage available at framework rates. Storage is in named lockers, accessed only on the named resident's authority and held for up to six months by default (extendable on request).
Do you work with male survivors?
Yes. Although the majority of refuge work in the UK involves women, we also support providers running refuge accommodation for male survivors and for survivors of all genders, including the Mankind Initiative and Galop's LGBTQ+ services.
How do we set up a framework arrangement?
Ring the helpline and ask for the refuge framework manager. We can usually finalise a written agreement (including DBS evidence, insurance schedules, GDPR documentation and reference list) within two weeks.