When a home becomes unsafe
For too many people, home isn’t the safe place it should be. The number of vulnerable people in County Durham and Darlington needing help and protection from violent partners has nearly doubled in the past year. It’s estimated that one in four women and one in six men affected by harmful and controlling relationships. The impact is vast and long-lasting and often leaves people struggling to meet their basic needs as they try to rebuild their lives.
When someone leaves a violent home, they are often left with nothing, no financial security, no belongings, and no support network.
We distribute the Household Support Fund through local charities to provide immediate, practical help when it’s urgently needed.
The Household Support Fund, provided by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), is a discretionary fund designed to help vulnerable households with essential costs.
It’s administered by local authorities, in our case Durham County Council and its aim is to provide immediate relief for people who are struggling to afford energy and water bills, food, and other necessities.
A mum’s story: starting from scratch
A mum of three turned to a County Durham charity after leaving a controlling and harmful relationship. Years of financial control had left her with crippling debt, no access to her own money, and overwhelming stress.
When she arrived at a support group managed by the local charity, she was extremely distressed, with just £5 left for two weeks of bills, she had been unable to buy her daughter any birthday presents.
She had done the hardest thing, leaving a violent home to make a better future for her children. But now faced the impossible task of keeping her children warm, fed, and safe with no financial support.
Because of the Household Support Fund, Point North were able to direct funds to the local charity who were providing urgent relief. They used the fund to make sure she had:
- Food and household essential to keep her and her children fed
- Warm clothing for the four of them to stay warm as temperatures dropped
- A gas and electricity top up to make sure they could keep their lights on and the heating running
But support didn’t stop at immediate crisis intervention. The charity is now working closely with her to:
- Help her manage her debt and regain financial stability
- Connect her to long-term support services, ensuring she has access to the right guidance
- Arrange a new cooker to help her provide for her children
A better today, a brighter tomorrow
People leaving harmful relationships don’t just need short-term emergency support, they need the time, space, and resources to rebuild their lives.
Without the flexibility of the Household Support Fund, charities wouldn’t be able to act quickly, providing not this immediate help, alongside this longer term support.
At Point North, we know that helping someone in crisis is just the first step. This mother needed urgent support to keep her children warm and fed, but to build a better, more secure future, she also needs ongoing guidance, financial stability, and sustainable services she can rely on.
That’s why every pound we raise and distribute is dedicated to making today better and tomorrow brighter. Making sure that people get the urgent help they need today, while supporting them to build the foundations for a safe and secure future.