Leeway was established in 1974 to provide support and safe housing to victims of domestic abuse in Norfolk and Waveney. Over 45 years it has grown from a small start-up to serving over 50 staff across 5 safe houses. Leeway campaigns for victims by providing safe refuge, support through the legal system, and access to counseling. They have expanded their services and opened new locations over the years. However, more awareness of domestic abuse issues and of Leeway is still needed to support their efforts.

1. Social
Action
Research
Name: Keira Branton

2. The client.
Leeway
Overview of the client.
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 beginning and they now have five 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
Waveney.

3. The issues:
Your client might advocate on a number of different yet related issues.
What issues your client campaign on?
What are they still hoping to achieve?
My clients campaign is on Domestic Violence they're trying to give
victims:
• A place to go to be safe and get way from their abuser.
• Practical and emotional support throughout the criminal justice
system.
• Track the progress of the service users’ case as it progresses
through the criminal justice system.
• Advise on criminal injuries compensation.
• Provide access to counselling services.

4. What have they achieved?
2017- Leeway opened two new safe houses (refuges) in West Norfolk and Breckland.
2016- 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.
2015- Having demonstrated a high quality of service, Leeway was awarded the Women’s Aid National Quality
Mark.
2014- Leeway was chosen as Norwich's civic charity.
2013- Leeway moved to larger head office premises and received the Co-ordinated Action Against Domestic
Abuse (CAADA) Leading Lights accreditation.
2012- 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.
2010- Leeway achieved a Supporting People Level B Quality Assurance Assessment for Refuge Services,
demonstrating good practice and progression towards excellence in our service provision.
2009- 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.
2007- Our Great Yarmouth refuge opened with the building owned by Cotman Housing.
2006- We started to deliver a parenting service in Great Yarmouth and Specialist Domestic Violence Court Service
Independent Violence Advocacy (IDVA) in Norwich.
2005- Advocacy services begun in Great Yarmouth.
2004- Advocacy services begun in Broadland and South Norfolk.
2003- 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.
1997- Chapelfield East refuge opened and an Ofsted registered playgroup was set up for the children in refuge.
1990- 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.
1989- The first women were employed to run the refuge and support the women and children using the services.
1980's- 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.
1974- 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.
1973- Leeway was formed by a group of volunteers and received a grant from Norwich City Council.

5. Leeway have an Annual Charity Fundraising Ball
every year to raise money for their cause. They
also do other fundraisers like Ghost Walks and
skydiving the problem is not a lot of people
know about them because of how quiet
everything and everyone are about domestic
abuse. Leeway need more people to know
about them so they can do a lot better in their
efforts. This is where I will be helping them.
Facts and Figures: