Lighthouse Womens Aid

General information

Lighthouse Women's Aid provides the following services:

For confidential advice, call our helpline 01473 228 270

Out of hours helpline 01473 745 111

Women's Refuge:
We offer temporary accommodation in safe and supportive refuges where women and their children can recover from the traumatic effects of domestic violence and make informed choices.
Services Include:
Supportive Staff - to support women to access other agencies including help with accessing benefits, seek housing, registering with doctors, health visitors, antenatal care and legal advice.
Children's Service Team - Assist with the admission of children and young people to schools and nursery places and offer on-on-one support sessions.
Welfare Staff - available to help women settle and regain their self-esteem with daily support and sign posting to appropriate services and wellbeing opportunities locally.
Resettlement Support - Is offered to women and children when they become ready to move on from refuge.

A Women's and Children's Wellbeing Centre:
The Centre provides a one-stop shop of advice and information for women and children (particularly those who are suffering, or who have suffered domestic abuse), whilst presenting an opportunity for all women across Suffolk to develop new skills and come together within a safe and caring environment. Women and children are encouraged to use the facilities to promote their independence and raise their confidence, through courses and support sessions.
Courses Available:
Creative Coffee - learn some new crafty skills in good company
Music Therapy - A fun and therapeutic music group supporting women and children to express themselves through music.
Well-Being Workshops - Provide ideas on how we can improve our sense of well being.
Creative Writing: A therapeutic writing class for women who have experienced any form of abuse (domestic abuse, sexual abuse, abuse in childhood).
Healthy Relationship Programme - A free 4 week course for women run by The Terence Higgins Trust.
Drumming Workshop - A fun and therapeutic drumming workshop supporting women to express themselves and restore inner balance.
Freedom Programme - A nationally established support group run by trained female facilitators.
Debt Advice Sessions - A money advisor from Ipswich Housing Action Group will be available at the Open Cafe.
Stronger Families - A therapeutic programme for children and young persons aged 5 to 16 years of age with their mothers who have experienced domestic abuse in their families.
Who's In Charge - A programme for parents or carers who have children that use violent behaviour towards them or currently appear to be beyond parent control.
Self Esteem - A free course for women to help develop and improve your self esteem, confidence and assertiveness.
Escape The Trap - An exciting new programme designed to inform young people about teenage relationship abuse.
Support Available:
One-Stop Advice - We offer advice and support on any issue, appointments are available with one of our trained advisors to discuss your issue in confidence and without judgement.
Court Based IDVA (Independent Domestic Violence Advisor) - A trained domestic abuse advisor who can work with you one-on-one, to support you through the justice system.
Legal Support Volunteers - who will attend court with you so you do not have to go alone.
Open Cafe - An informal drop-in providing an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends whilst being part of a supportive network.
Legal Advice - For women experiencing domestic abuse, we can offer the opportunity to discuss any legal issues, worries or questions you may have.
Counselling - An opportunity for you to talk privately and confidentially about your feelings and experiences in a way that might not be possible with other people.

How You Can Help:
Volunteering - Become a volunteer with Lighthouse, we have a variety of interesting and exciting vacancies in and around Ipswich, supporting women and children who have been affected by domestic abuse.
Membership - Become a member of the Lighthouse a great way to keep up to date and involved with the work we do in supporting families experiencing domestic abuse. See our website for how to apply.
Fundraising - Become a fundraiser for Lighthouse and help us raise much needed to funds and allow us to continue the life saving work we do.
Donate - Please see our website for the different ways you can donate.
Become a Trustee - Join our team and make a difference.