BEDE HOUSE ASSOCIATION
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : a**********i@b*******e.o*g
Mission Statement
The Bede Starfish Project works with people affected by Domestic Abuse. Our aim is to help build communities where everyone can be free from fear of violence, no matter who they are or where they come from. Southwark has one of the highest levels of domestic abuse in London, with up to an average of 2,400 incidents being reported per year. Over 18 years ago we identified the need for our service, our partner projects in Bede (youth and disability projects) were receiving referrals from local families who would come to us for help. From the growing number of referrals, the Domestic Abuse arm of Bede was formed. The level of self and ‘word of mouth’ referrals we receive (60% in 2022) demonstrates the trusted reputation of Bede in the community; we support vulnerable and marginalised victims of DA who often would not be picked up by main providers or statutory services. Bede works with a large number of distinct ethnic groups (19% black African, black Caribbean 11%) as such, the team are experienced in dealing with cultural and community pressures on women to return to the abuser. Our aim is to provide much needed support and allow women the space to recover from the abuse, our findings show that the combination the group, counselling and advocacy allows our clients to heal. Our experience means we are well placed to support those with these complex needs and our Counselling waiting list is significantly shorter than NHS equivalents, allowing swift access to our specialised mental health provision. Feedback from counselling evaluation forms completed by clients; "Please keep doing the work that you are doing. It’s absolutely life changing. Making a service like this available to vulnerable people lifts them up, it improves their sense of self and helps them go on to make the world a better place".
About This Cause
Bede House Association is a local community charity, based in Bermondsey since its foundation in 1938. Today, Bede runs four very successful projects which serve and support the Southwark community: day programmes for people with a Learning Disability, Youth Work for children and young people from low income families, Community Engagement programmes, and the Starfish Domestic Abuse (DA) Project. Overall, our projects have a collective impact in our community over four main themes: alleviating poverty and increasing employment opportunities; reducing isolation and finding fresh purpose; health and wellbeing and caring for our environment. More than 2,000 people benefit directly and indirectly from Bede’s activities each year. As a multi-purpose community charity, Bede provides the strength of its organisational infrastructure to diverse specialist projects. The small size of these projects enables them to be flexible and creative in their response to complex needs. The Starfish DA Project aims to build safer communities in Southwark, breaking cycles of domestic violence both day-to-day and generation-to-generation. Based in Bermondsey, we are open weekdays, delivering free services across the borough. Our services include advocacy, counselling, legal advice and the Freedom Programme, a 17-week programme for women affected by male-perpetrated abuse. Our caseworkers ensure that clients receive holistic, seamless support to meet their complex needs, both in crisis situations and in preparation for the future. We offer face to face support to all clients, this allows us to build and tailor our support package to the client. Bede is based in the northern part of the London Borough of Southwark. Despite rising prosperity in some areas, there are still neighbourhoods that are amongst the 10% most deprived in England. Over 39% of children under the age of 16 are reported to be living in poverty. Over 39% of children under the age of 16 are reported to be living in poverty. Southwark has one of the highest levels of domestic abuse in London, with an average of 2,400 recorded incidents per year. In Southwark, domestic abuse is a factor in 70% of child care proceedings (Southwark Council 2015). For over 16 years, the Starfish Project has delivered practical and emotional support to victims of DV in Southwark. The level of self and ‘word of mouth’ referrals we receive (34% in 2018) demonstrates the trusted reputation of Bede in the community; we support vulnerable and marginalised victims of DV who often would not be picked up by main providers. As an independent charity with flexible services, we are experienced at supporting clients with complex needs and no recourse to public funds. When providing feedback on our services, clients have highlighted the value of receiving holistic, long-term support from one small organisation rather than seeking provision from different services, which can be time-consuming and exhausting for victims of DV in crisis situations. We contact each client within 24 hours of referral, whilst waiting times for statutory Southwark services can be up to six weeks. Our Counselling waiting list is significantly shorter than NHS equivalents, allowing clients swift access to specialised mental health provision, in conjunction with our other services. We run the only Freedom Programme in Southwark and currently have a waiting list for the next cycle due to its popularity. The Starfish staff provide emotional and practical support to clients on a one-to-one basis in conjunction with our other services. Our approach is user-led and tailored to each client’s unique situation. We meet clients at Bede or at locations in the community where they feel safe and comfortable. We support clients as they move through the criminal justice system, providing information so that perpetrators can be prosecuted. Through our service, we provide legal advice regarding non-molestation orders and child contact issues. The court process is an intimidating one, where we can, we accompany clients to courts. Our unique position within the community means that we reach vulnerable people who often feel distrust for statutory services such as Social Services and the Police. As an independent charity, we provide the tools for individuals to make bridges with these agencies and strengthen their own support networks for the future.