As part of our journey to achieve Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) accreditation and to strengthen the Torus group’s response to domestic abuse across the organisation, this month we held a pilot partner event at our St Helens office to help promote specialist services to who support those affected by domestic abuse locally.

The Domestic Abuse Support Partner Marketplace provided an opportunity for Torus Colleagues to gain a deeper understanding of the local support available to help those impacted by domestic abuse – both victim and perpetrator.

Torus Domestic Abuse Service Team Leader, Anna Lock, said:

“Thank you to everyone who attended the event. It was wonderful to see so many staff from across the organisation meet with partners from across the borough and engage with conversations around the work being completed to support our customers.

“As part of our journey to achieve DAHA, it is important staff have an awareness of what support local partners can offer to those impacted by domestic abuse. We look forward to hosting the marketplace event in Warrington and Liverpool over the summer.”

The marketplace featured stalls from Change Grow Live (CGL), Early Help, Children’s Centres, Phoenix Rising, Teardrops, Think Wellbeing, Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC), St Helens Wellbeing Centre, Chrysalis, Safe2Speak and Torus Foundation, who said:

“It was great to be able to represent the service and the work we do in the borough. Torus staff were engaged, and I found it interesting to hear about the work that is being undertaken as a landlord.”

RASASC

“We really enjoyed attending the event today and it was great to share the work that is being completed with perpetrators of domestic abuse and getting to meet with Safer Estates. We look forward to building on partnership work moving forward.”

CGL

“It was fantastic to meet with Torus staff and to gain a deeper understanding of the work completed by our colleagues and being able to explain our own service offer.”

Safe2Speak

“It was wonderful to develop relationships and keep ourselves informed about the important work being completed in the borough. We all have one goal to support vulnerable customers and it is useful to keep updated with each other.”

Teardrops

The event was attended from colleagues from across Torus, with Alan Feenan Health & Wellbeing Manager for Torus Foundation commenting:

“The event was a real eye opener for me learning about the things the team do to support Domestic Abuse survivors and the number of people who require that support. I can see that there is great work being done in difficult circumstances.”

Similar events are planned for Warrington and Liverpool.

Torus has considerable experience in supporting the victims of domestic abuse so if you or someone you know is affected by abuse, don’t suffer in silence. An experienced and specialist team is available to help. Find out more about domestic abuse support for victims and perpetrators here.