Helping hand given to domestic abuse victim

A Hertfordshire resident who suffered domestic abuse has received help from Equans through our Helping Hands Scheme to help improve the living conditions for her and her children.

Unable to afford to furnish her entire house, Sandy (not her real name) had been sleeping on the couch so that her children could have their own rooms. Her eldest daughter had been sleeping on a mattress on the floor for the past three years.

Clarion Housing Group's Housing Officer, Tegan, referred Sandy to us in the hope that we could provide support as part of our Helping Hands Scheme. Originally the scheme was set up to provide practical help young care leavers up to the value of £500 per household, to help them in their first home. However, more recently Equans has extended the offer of help to domestic abuse survivors as well.

On 8th November, Equans' Social Value Manager, Julian Sanz, together with one of our multi-skilled operatives visited Sandy's home in Hertfordshire to carry out the improvement works. They donated and installed blinds and curtains to every room in the house and also donated a second hand bed frame, new mattress, lights, bedding and pillows for the daughter's room so that she could finally enjoy a proper room.

Daughter's bedroom before transformation

The bedroom was also given a quick 'changing rooms' style makeover, making the room more appealing and utilising the space fully.

This initiative was carried out as part of our commitment as a signatory member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant.