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0300 561 0077
For free confidential advice Domestic abuse helpline 0300 561 0077 Email referrals@leewaynwa.org.uk If you are in immediate danger call 999
Leeway was established in 1974 with the help of a £200 start-up grant from Norwich City Council. Over the past four decades the charity has grown from those humble beginnings and we now have seven safe houses and a team of more than 50 people providing advice, support and information to any adult or child experiencing domestic abuse in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Our free, safe and confidential service is designed to empower those who are experiencing domestic abuse and give them the confidence needed in order to make independent choices about their life. To do this we provide a range of one-on-one and community based services not only for the adults and children of Norfolk, but also those from other areas of the country who require a place of safety.
Learn MoreWe would like to thank the following authorities, organisations and businesses for their ongoing support of our work.
Nina Nannar is a well-respected journalist for ITV News and specialises in arts and entertainment news.
Raised in Scunthorpe, she has previously worked on Midlands Today, Children in Need and BBC News’ 2000 Today. Currently she acts as a News Correspondent for ITV News. Away from her media work, Nina holds a number of positions including Governor of the Norwich University of the Arts, Ambassador of the Prince’s Trust and Patron of Akademi.
We are absolutely thrilled that Nina has chosen to become patron of Leeway and it is superb that, alongside Chrissie, we have two high profile women with such distinguished media careers supporting the charity and the services we provide. Speaking about her decision to become patron of Leeway, Nina said “the work Leeway does is so important. It simply gives victims a place to turn to, to seek out to get answers. Saying walk away may seem the obvious solution but of course, abuse is so much more complicated than that. Knowing that there is a place to call, having that support is invaluable.”
Chrissie Jackson is presenter of BBC Radio Norfolk’s weekday mid-morning show (10am-12pm).
Born in Manchester and brought up in Norfolk, she worked as a bank cashier and club DJ before beginning her broadcasting career with Radio Broadland (1986-2010), then Heart East Anglia (2010-2013). She joined BBC Radio Norfolk in 2014 and landed the mid-morning show in January 2016.
Chrissie has been our patron since 2009 and in that time we are delighted at the positive impact her support has had on our work. Speaking about her decision to support Leeway, she said “I have a huge amount of respect for the people and the ideal of Leeway – the fact that the charity is growing shows their work is more important than ever.”
Georgina Holloway is the former High Sheriff of Norfolk and took up the position of Leeway patron in September 2017.
In 2011/12, Georgina held the role of Norfolk’s High Sheriff, representing the sovereign in the county and overseeing responsibility for law and order.
As well as this, she has held other roles including President of the St John Ambulance in Norfolk and a non-executive director of King’s Lynn and Wisbech Hospitals NHS Trust.
Speaking about her decision to support Leeway, she said: “I first became involved in Leeway when I was High Sheriff of Norfolk in 2011/12 and knew nothing much about domestic abuse. I soon learnt a good deal and I was honoured to be asked to become a Patron of this charity which does such amazing work for women and children in our wonderful County. What Leeway has achieved over the past five years is outstanding and has changed the lives of many people.”
Leeway opened two new safe houses (refuges) in West Norfolk and Breckland.
Leeway was awarded £606,315 from Big Lottery to help provide support to women and young girls living with domestic abuse in Norfolk’s rural communities.
Having demonstrated a high quality of service, Leeway was awarded the Women’s Aid National Quality Mark.
Leeway was chosen as Norwich's civic charity.
Leeway moved to larger head office premises and received the Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic Abuse (CAADA) Leading Lights accreditation.
Independent Violence Advocacy (IDVA) service begun for Norfolk and Norwich and Queen Elizabeth hospitals. Leeway also achieved Level B Quality Assurance Assessment for its Suffolk service.
Leeway achieved a Supporting People Level B Quality Assurance Assessment for Refuge Services, demonstrating good practice and progression towards excellence in our service provision.
Refuges opened in Norwich (owned by Cotman Housing Association) and North Norfolk (owned by Wherry Housing Association). A pilot outreach service was launched in Suffolk.
Our Great Yarmouth refuge opened with the building owned by Cotman Housing.
We started to deliver a parenting service in Great Yarmouth and Specialist Domestic Violence Court Service Independent Violence Advocacy (IDVA) in Norwich.
Advocacy services begun in Great Yarmouth.
Advocacy services begun in Broadland and South Norfolk.
Leeway’s head office moved to Princes Street in Norwich. Funding was received for a children service outreach in the community, women’s outreach services, a helpline referral worker and an advocacy service in Norwich.
Chapelfield East refuge opened and an Ofsted registered playgroup was set up for the children in refuge.
Leeway’s management committee was established to take responsibility for the strategic management and direction of the charity. An after school club was also set up for children using the refuge.
The first women were employed to run the refuge and support the women and children using the services.
A second stage ‘halfway house’ was set up for women and children to live in once the risk had decreased and they were awaiting housing.
In the first week of April 1974 a grant was received to be used to open a refuge and the following week Hall entrance terrace was purchased and the refuge begun.
Leeway was formed by a group of volunteers and received a grant from Norwich City Council.
Leeway has been awarded the Women’s Aid National Quality Mark. This award demonstrates that we deliver a high standard of service to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. The Women’s Aid Quality Standards are national standards which measure the quality of domestic abuse services on a number of factors including physical and emotional recovery, rights and access, safety and dignity, and sustainability and autonomy.
Investors in People is a management framework which aims to achieve high performance by championing best practice in people management. Following assessment, we were delighted to be awarded their ‘Bronze’ standard.
In March 2013 Leeway became a signatory of The Hardwood Care and Support Charter. This charter ensures that anyone receiving care and support services in Norfolk gets the highest quality service they want and expect.
As a disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
We would like to thank the following authorities, organisations and businesses for their ongoing support of our work.
We are supporting a new Norfolk-wide campaign launched yesterday #IWalkedAway raising awareness about #domesticabuse http:www.iwalkedaway.co.uk
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