Other Specialist Services

Domestic abuse can have a profound impact on your mental health. These services offer talking therapies, crisis support, and longer-term emotional wellbeing support.

• Live Well Kent and Medway — free mental health and wellbeing support for anyone aged 17+, including counselling, therapy and help with everyday living. livewellkent.org.uk
• Kent and Medway Safe Havens — drop-in support for anyone over 16 in mental health crisis, open evenings and weekends. No appointment or referral needed. Run by Mental Health Matters. kmhealthandcare.uk/safe-havens
• KMPT 24-hour helpline — if you need urgent mental health support, advice or guidance. 0800 783 9111
• Release the Pressure — free, confidential support if you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed. 0800 107 0160
• Shout — 24-hour crisis support by text. Text KENT to 85258
• Mind (national) — information, support and local services for mental health. mind.org.uk

Some people use alcohol or substances to cope with the impact of abuse. These services offer non-judgmental support, whatever stage you’re at.

• Live Well Kent — free, confidential drug and alcohol support across Kent and Medway, including in Thanet, Ramsgate, Margate and surrounding areas. livewellkent.org.uk
• RIVER (Medway) — drug and alcohol recovery support for anyone over 18 in Medway, run by the Forward Trust. Self-referral available. 0300 123 1560
• Kenward Trust — Kent-based residential rehabilitation and recovery support for those with alcohol or drug addiction, including support for families. kenwardtrust.org.uk
• WithYou — drug and alcohol support for young people and their families across Kent. wearewithyou.org.uk

Leaving an abusive situation can often lead to urgent housing issues. These services can help you understand your options and access safe accommodation.

• Shelter — free expert housing advice, including specific guidance for people experiencing domestic abuse. england.shelter.org.uk
• Porchlight — Kent-based charity supporting people facing homelessness or poverty, with housing advice and community support across the county. porchlight.org.uk
• Kent Homechoice — the housing register for social housing across Kent. kenthomechoice.org.uk
• Medway Council Housing — if you’re at risk of homelessness in Medway, contact the council’s housing team directly. medway.gov.uk

Domestic abuse can involve the justice system and understanding your legal rights can feel overwhelming. These services offer free, accessible help.

• Citizens Advice Medway — free, independent, confidential advice on housing, benefits, debt, family law and more. medwayadvice.org.uk
• Citizens Advice in North and West Kent — including specialist immigration casework and legal aid support. citizensadvicenwk.org.uk
• National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) — free help for those experiencing domestic abuse to access civil protection orders. 0800 970 2020 | ncdv.org.uk

Leaving an abusive relationship often comes with financial uncertainty and this is something we can offer advice and support for. Below are some other services which can help you.

• Citizens Advice Medway — advice on benefits, debt, Universal Credit and managing money. medwayadvice.org.uk
• Kent Money Advice Hub — free, confidential financial support run by Citizens Advice for anyone struggling with the cost of living. kent.gov.uk
• Medway Financial Welfare Hub — free, impartial financial guidance from Medway Council. medway.gov.uk/financialwelfare
• Turn2us — national charity with a benefits calculator and grant finder to help you access funds you may not know you’re entitled to. turn2us.org.uk
• Surviving Economic Abuse — specialist support for those experiencing financial and economic abuse. survivingeconomicabuse.org

We support anyone who is affected by domestic abuse – it doesn’t matter how you identify or who you’re attracted to. Everyone deserves to feel safe and understood. If you identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, these services can also offer you support that’s affirming and inclusive.

• MGSD Centre (Medway) — a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people in Medway and the South East, offering peer support, advice, drop-ins and community. Based in Rochester. mgsd-centre.org
• Galop — national charity supporting LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse or violence, including domestic abuse. galop.org.uk
• MindOut — mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people. mindout.org.uk
• LGBT Foundation — national charity offering advice, support and information for LGBT+ communities. lgbt.foundation

Domestic abuse affects men too. If you’re a man who has experienced abuse, support is available.

• Look Ahead — specialist domestic abuse support across Kent and Medway for men and those identifying as men, including one-to-one advocacy and survivor programmes. lookahead.org.uk
• Men’s Advice Line — confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic abuse. 0808 8010327
• ManKind Initiative — national support for men experiencing domestic abuse, including advice for friends and family. mankind.org.uk

Disabled people can face specific barriers to accessing help. These organisations are here to support your independence and rights.

• Signhealth – a charity that provides support and advice around domestic abuse for Deaf people and BSL resources and short films about topics related to domestic abuse. signhealth.org.uk/with-deaf-people/domestic-abuse
• Disability Assist / Centre for Independent Living Kent (CiLK) — run by and for disabled people, offering advocacy, peer support, advice and information across Kent and Medway. cilk.org.uk
• Kent Association for the Blind — rehabilitation and support services for people with sight impairments across Kent, Medway and Bromley. kab.org.uk
• Disability Rights UK — national information and advice on benefits, rights and independent living. disabilityrightsuk.org

Minoritised people often face additional barriers to accessing support due to racism, cultural stigma, immigration status, language barriers, transphobia, and systemic discrimination. We support everyone, however you may prefer to be supported by someone who identifies with your culture.

• Halo Project — specialist support for Black and minoritised women and girls experiencing domestic abuse, forced marriage, or honour-based violence. haloproject.org.uk
• Imkaan — national organisation working to address violence against Black and minoritised women and girls. imkaan.org.uk
• Traveller Movement – The Traveller Movement provides expert advice and support for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in the UK on a variety of issues, including domestic abuse. travellermovement.org.uk
• Opoka – OPOKA aims to help women and children in the Polish community improve health, well-being, financial stability, and happiness by stopping domestic violence and abuse. opoka.org.uk
• Jewish Women’s Aid – The UK’s only specialist organisation dedicated to supporting Jewish women and children affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. jwa.org.uk
• Karma Nirvana – national organisation which works to end so called honour-based abuse. They have a helpline. karmanirvana.org.uk
• Southall Black Sisters — national advice and support for Black and Asian women facing violence, abuse abuse and immigration issues. southallblacksisters.org.uk

If your immigration status is affecting your ability to access support, specialist help is available.

• Citizens Advice in North and West Kent — specialist immigration casework and legal aid, including for survivors of domestic abuse with NRPF. citizensadvicenwk.org.uk
• Halo Project — also supports women affected by domestic abuse who have insecure immigration status or NRPF. haloproject.org.uk
• Southall Black Sisters — national advice and support for Black and minoritised women facing domestic abuse and immigration issues. southallblacksisters.org.uk

Sexual violence often happens alongside domestic abuse. Specialist support is available, regardless of when the abuse occurred.

• Kent Sexual Assault and Abuse Service (KSAAS) — formerly East Kent Rape Crisis Centre, now providing ISVA and therapeutic services across all of Kent and Medway for children, young people and adults. ksaas.org.uk
• Beech House SARC — free, confidential healthcare and support for anyone in Kent and Medway who has experienced sexual assault or rape, at any point in their life. Available 24/7. 0330 223 0099 | beechhousesarc.org
• Rape Crisis England & Wales — 24/7 national helpline for anyone affected by sexual violence. rapecrisis.org.uk

Other specialist domestic abuse services operate across Kent, Medway and the rest of the UK depending on where you live.

• Rising Sun — supports women and families affected by domestic abuse in Canterbury, Ashford and Folkestone & Hythe. risingsunkent.com
• DAVVS — supports people experiencing domestic abuse in Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks or Tonbridge. davvs.org.uk
• SATEDA — supports women and children affected by domestic abuse in Swale. sateda.org
• Kent & Medway Domestic Abuse Partnership — a searchable directory of all DA services across the area. domesticabuseservices.org.uk
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge) — free, confidential, 24/7. 0808 2000 247
• Women’s Aid — national charity with resources and a refuge finder. womensaid.org.uk

Domestic abuse affects people of all ages, and older people can face particular barriers to getting help including isolation, financial dependence, or caring responsibilities. Abuse in later life is more common than many people realise, and you deserve support whatever your age.

• Hourglass — the UK’s only charity focused exclusively on the abuse and neglect of older people, with a free, confidential 24/7 helpline offering information, advice and support to older people experiencing any form of abuse, including domestic abuse. 0808 808 8141 | wearehourglass.org
• Age UK — practical support, information and advice for older people across Kent and Medway, including help with benefits, housing, wellbeing and staying independent. The national advice line is free: 0800 169 6565 | ageuk.org.uk
• Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board — if you’re concerned about an older person who may be at risk of abuse or neglect, the local safeguarding team can help. kmsab.org.uk

Worrying about a pet can be a real barrier to leaving an abusive situation and perpetrators often use this. You should never have to choose between your own safety and the safety of your animal.

At Oasis, we work directly with pet fostering services to make sure your pet can be cared for safely while you access refuge or emergency accommodation elsewhere. If you come to one of our private flats, we will do what we can do accommodate your pets so you can bring them with you.

• Dogs Trust Freedom Project — a free, confidential dog fostering service for people fleeing domestic abuse. Your dog is placed with a trained volunteer foster carer, with all veterinary costs and essentials covered, until you’re safely settled and able to be reunited. dogstrustfreedom.org.uk
• Cats Protection Paws Protect — specialist cat fostering for people escaping domestic abuse, operating in partnership with the Dogs Trust Freedom Project. 0345 260 1280 | cats.org.uk/paws-protect

If you have another type of pet and you’re not sure what support is available, speak to us and we’ll help you explore your options.

We support children affected by domestic abuse, but if you’re worried about a child, or a young person is looking for support in their own right, these services can help.

• NSPCC — the UK’s leading children’s charity dedicated to preventing child abuse and supporting children at risk. 0808 800 5000 | nspcc.org.uk
• Childline — free, confidential support for young people. 0800 1111 | childline.org.uk
• Kent Therapeutic Alliance — support for young people with mental health, relationships, safety and identity. salusgroup.org.uk/support-service/kent-therapeutic-support-service
• Medway Therapeutic Alliance — support for young people with mental health, relationships, safety and identity. northkentmind.co.uk/the-medway-therapeutic-alliance