Barclays grant funds six homes for Bradford charity Staying Put to help survivors of domestic and sexual abuse

Bradford charity Staying Put, however, was able to provide her with a safe house and give her help and support to move forward.

After the intervention Amina, whose name is an alias to protect her identity, and her child are able to live independently following a period in what is known as dispersed accommodation - a safe, self-contained home where the charity can keep up its support, which is seen as a vital recovery step.

Now a "life-saving" £100,000 grant from the Barclays Community Foundation Fund - part of a £100m Community Aid Package package that the bank announced earlier this year - means that six more homes for abuse survivors can be made available to people facing situations like Amina's.

The domestic and sexual abuse charity says that there is a shortage of accommodation for survivors when they are ready to move on from emergency refuges.

Yasmin Khan, CEO of Staying Put, said: “We’re delighted to receive this grant and very grateful to Barclays for providing these much-needed funds for the life-changing and life-saving services we offer.

“We always need more funds to help survivors of domestic and sexual abuse, but particularly at this time, as many more people are reaching out to us for help.

“There has been an increase in referrals since the easing of lockdown restrictions and we know many people have struggled to cope throughout this crisis.

“This money will enable us to move residents out of our emergency refuges, when they are tenancy ready, into dispersed accommodation – keeping refuge spaces available for high-risk, crisis referrals.

“Dispersed accommodation provides abuse survivors with a safe and secure self-contained property, while we continue to offer them support. It’s a vital step towards recovery for many people.”

Amina said: “I feel great that I am here.

"I feel relieved I have received so much support. All the staff have been so supportive and friendly.

"I am grateful for so much support that I needed in this time of my life.”

In April, Barclays announced a £100m Community Aid Package to support charities that are helping people and communities most impacted by COVID-19.

Some £10m of this funding has been donated through their 100x100 UK COVID-19 Community Relief Programme, with Staying Put being one of 100 UK charities each receiving a donation of £100,000.

Dan Styler, Barclays business area manager, said: “This crisis has had anunprecedented impact across the UK and we know this is an incredibly challenging time for many in Bradford.

"By reaching those most in need of support, local charities, such as Staying Put have played a vital role in this crisis to date, and no doubt they will do going forward.

"As a proud member of our community, we are doing everything we can for our customers, clients and colleagues, and we hope that our partnership with Staying Put will allow many others to access the help they need as this crisis develops.”

The free Staying Put helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, on 0808 2800 999.

The free National Domestic Violence helpline is open 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.

Anyone who feels they, or another member of the family, are in immediate dangerbshould call the police on 999.

Affordable legal services from Staying Put are also available. Call 0800 077 3065 for free or email [email protected]