At Contento Social Homes, survivor voices are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to work in partnership with our Survivor Board — a dedicated group of four women currently residing in our refuges who serve as the collective voice for survivors of domestic abuse. Their lived experience provides invaluable insight into what truly matters during recovery, transition, and long-term independence.
The Survivor Board ensures that all support within our services remains person-centred, responsive, and grounded in real experiences. Their role is essential in shaping how we deliver safety, dignity, and empowerment to the women we support.
Survivors Raise Concerns About Delays in Move-On Accommodation
During the Survivor Board’s most recent meeting with the Board of Directors on 2 December 2025, a key issue was brought forward:
significant delays in accessing move-on accommodation.
Women who have completed their full recovery programmes — including emotional stabilisation, practical skills training, safety planning, and readiness for independence — reported extended waiting periods before being able to move into appropriate housing.
For many survivors, this delay has serious consequences:
- It slows down progress toward long-term independence
- It creates emotional frustration after completing recovery
- It can re-trigger feelings of instability and uncertainty
- It limits available refuge spaces for new survivors in crisis
- It highlights gaps in local housing pathways and resource availability
This feedback is both powerful and urgent. Survivors are telling us that they are ready, but the system is not ready for them.
Why This Matters: The Link to Our Campaign
These concerns directly reinforce the mission of our campaign, A Home for Every Woman Survivor, which aims to secure timely, safe, and sustainable move-on accommodation for survivors transitioning out of refuge.
A delay in housing is not simply an administrative issue —
it is a barrier to rebuilding a life after abuse.
Our campaign continues to advocate for:
- Increased capacity in move-on accommodation
- Faster and more accessible housing pathways
- Stronger partnerships with local authorities and landlords
- A national recognition that safe housing is a fundamental part of recovery
Every survivor deserves a home where she can rebuild her future with dignity, stability, and confidence.
Survivor Leadership as a Governance Priority
The Survivor Board meets with our Board of Directors every quarter, ensuring survivor-led decision-making remains central to our governance and organisational development.
Through this partnership:
- Survivors help shape policies and service delivery
- Their priorities influence strategic decisions
- Their voices guide improvements in refuge and housing support
- Lived experience is valued as expertise
This approach strengthens our commitment to co-production, transparency, and meaningful involvement of survivors at every level of the organisation.
Our Ongoing Commitment
Contento Social Homes remains committed to addressing the concerns raised and working proactively to strengthen move-on pathways. Survivor insight will continue to guide our actions as we advocate for sustainable housing solutions across the UK.
When survivors speak, we listen — and we act.
Together, we will continue building a future where every woman survivor has access to the safe, stable home she deserves.
