In Conversation with: Brighton & Hove Refuge

We’re proud to work closely with a wide range of organisations, from domestic abuse charities and housing providers to healthcare professionals and social prescribers, all referring women into our services.

One of our longstanding partners, Brighton & Hove Refuge, regularly refer women to Bramber Bakehouse. This trusted partnership ensures women affected by trauma and exploitation are connected to the support they need at just the right time. We’re proud to work together, creating pathways to healing, hope and opportunity.

Hello Ives, welcome to Bramber Bakehouse! Please tell us who you are and what you do.

My name is Ives. I’m the LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Support Worker at Brighton & Hove Refuge. My work involves helping individuals safely enter the refuge, stabilising and supporting their wellbeing during their stay, and assisting them as they move on and rebuild their lives within the community.

How did you hear about Bramber Bakehouse?

We first heard about Bramber Bakehouse at a VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) partners meeting. As a team, we’ve been referring survivors to Bramber Bakehouse for several years, typically 1–3 participants per cohort.

What drew you to refer clients to our services?

Bramber Bakehouse is a trauma-informed programme offering holistic support for survivors, focusing on their overall wellbeing. It provides a vital opportunity for women to build friendships and find community during an otherwise isolating time. It helps participants rebuild confidence and develop life skills, something that’s especially valuable for women who have experienced domestic abuse and often had their confidence and independence severely impacted.

The referral and risk assessment processes are incredibly thorough, which makes the programme more accessible and allows for truly person-centred support. With suicide being one of the leading causes of death amongst survivors, it’s essential for us, as a domestic abuse service, to work with partner organisations that prioritise wellbeing and embed tools for managing wellbeing into their programme.

Can you give us an example of the change you’ve seen in a women you’ve referred into our service?

One of our recent referrals was a neurodivergent woman who left a highly controlling community. I’ve witnessed first-hand the growth in her confidence and self-esteem. Bramber Bakehouse (BB) gave her something to look forward to each week. She began opening up to the group at BB and then at the refuge about her neurodiversity. She even brought her own tools and coping strategies to BB, which both participants and volunteers found helpful. In turn, she shared tools and learning from BB with the refuge, which has been incredibly moving.

What was the biggest impact on that individual’s journey?

She now shows up more as her authentic self and recognises the value she brings to a space. The Bramber Bakehouse volunteers helped her to see her worth, as they create an environment grounded in mutual respect, rather than a hierarchical dynamic between staff and participants.

Is there anything you’d like to share which we haven’t covered?

In the context of a domestic abuse refuge, spaces like Bramber Bakehouse are invaluable. Refuge life is strictly confidential; residents cannot have visitors, and working during recovery from domestic abuse can be very challenging. Bramber Bakehouse gives women the chance to begin building community outside of refuge. It offers structure, something to look forward to, and an inclusive space – it’s particularly welcoming of women who experience neurodiversity.

Partnerships are vital. We’re so pleased to continue working with our referral network who bring experience and wrap-around support to female survivors.