How long do you spend in a refuge?

[Sad and alone]

I always thought I wouldn’t need to take a refuge space as I have family I could stay with but they are in a different UK country to me and I don’t want to move there permanently. Plus I worry he would know where I am, even though I don’t think he’d do anything, I equally don’t trust how he would behave if I left permanently. Eventually I’d like to set up somewhere in the country I live now. How long do you or can you stay in a refuge for? Is it just like respite before you’re shifted elsewhere? Or do people stay longer term?

[Lisa]

Hi Sad and alone,

It is really understandable to have questions about going into refuge as this can be a big decision. Every refuge will have their own policies and processes so there is no specific timeframe. Often there will be an initial licence agreement for around 6 months but this can vary. In a refuge setting you should have an allocated support worker to work with you around your move on options so it should not just abruptly come to an end. There is a full breakdown of refuge accommodation along with frequently asked questions here.

Take care and keep posting

Lisa

[Author]

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