Covid-19 Statement

BCWA Covid-19 Statement

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, BCWA want to share our response, which is based on information and advice from the Government and WHO. BCWA wants to reassure those experiencing domestic abuse that they are not alone at this difficult time. We are operational and are working hard to continue to assist women and children who need our help in these challenging times.

Our services remain open and we have contingency plans in place. You can contact us for telephone support or any enquiries in the normal way, by email to info@bcwa.org.uk or phone on 020 8313 9303, especially if you are worried about self-isolating with a perpetrator.

You can also call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (24-hour service) or contact them via their contact form at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk. In an emergency, always call 999 if you are in danger.

If you would like to make a contribution to our current Refuge appeal, please go to our donations page.

Refuge

Our refuges remain in operation and we are following Government guidelines and observing all recommended prevention measures. We are accepting referrals where we have vacancies and the referrals procedure remains the same. Our team is providing increased support to residents via digital means but minimising face-to-face contact and movement between premises.

One Stop Shop

Our Thursday face-to face drop-in sessions are suspended until further notice but we are running this service virtually and all the usual services are available by phone during the normal hours 1:30-4pm. This includes BCWA Outreach Workers, Bromley Housing Options and Family Law Solicitors (Immigration Solicitor every 3^rd Thursday of the month as usual). To use the Virtual One Stop Shop just call our Mainline on 020 8313 9303 and say you are calling for One Stop Shop Services, and one of our team will help you.

Outreach Services

Our IDSVA, Community Outreach & Japanese Service are operating as normal via phone and accepting new referrals. Please email referral forms to idva@bcwa.org.uk and info@bcwa.org.uk respectively.

Support Groups

BCWA runs ‘Keys to Freedom’ Support Groups for survivors of domestic abuse.

The groups help women who have experienced domestic abuse to understand what happened to them, how it happened, and to then move forward confidently into their futures.

For more information, click here to our Support Groups page.

Prevention Services

We have suspended our non-urgent Training & Awareness and Schools’ Programmes for the time being, further updates will be given as the situation evolves. Please contact info@bcwa.org.uk for enquiries.

Volunteering & Donations

Our volunteering programme is currently suspended. We are seeking donations to support women in refuge during the crisis. For more information on how to donate please go to our donations page.

Our office working hours of Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm will remain the same.

In such challenging times, our priority is ensuring the very highest standard of support to survivors and we are working with our partners and funders to ensure this is possible.

We will announce any further changes to services and any plans to safely re-open our offices (in line with government guidance) via this site and our social media channels and email.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and support.

The BCWA Team