Social enterprise furnishes new safe house for victims of domestic abuse in Lancaster

The newly furnished building will provide victims of domestic abuse with safe, comfortable accommodation.

Over the past few weeks, the team at Furniture Matters have helped furnish the brand new refuge for SafeNet Domestic Abuse and Support Services.

The new safe house, a 20-bed facility, will offer both traditional refuge support and also cater for those with additional complex needs.

Furniture Matters specialise in new and reused furniture and appliances, providing them at low cost to local people in need.

Furniture Matters have been supporting similar initiatives since the onset of the pandemic, recently furnishing more than 40 properties for Blackpool Coastal Housing.

Staff from Furniture Matters have been delivering furniture, white goods and bedding to the newly repurposed properties which provide emergency accommodation for homeless individuals throughout the pandemic.

The continued success has seen enquiries come in from other local councils looking to utilise Furniture Matters for their rehousing efforts.

The opening of the new refuge comes as domestic abuse charities across the country continue to see a rise in referrals during the ongoing pandemic. Services are already bracing themselves for a rise in referrals as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

Helen Gauder, managing director of SafeNet Domestic Abuse Support Services, said: "Furniture Matters have been pivotal in our efforts to deliver this vital new refuge and expand our provision for domestic abuse victims during this difficult time.

"By providing a diverse range of brand new, high quality furnishings, Furniture Matters have helped create a safe and attractive space where people can feel truly comfortable."

Steph Buchanan, manager of Furniture Matters, said: "We have enjoyed working with and helping the SafeNet team prepare to open their additional Lancaster refuge.

"It’s been great to be involved with such an important project from the start. When people are fleeing domestic abuse they have to leave their homes behind, by supporting SafeNet we have been able to play a part in creating new safe homes for those that need it the most and that’s extremely rewarding."

Furniture Matters have re-opened their Morecambe store and plan to open the Blackpool branch in the coming weeks. Furniture Matters are also open for business via online shopping outlets on Facebook and eBay.