NIDAS (Newcastle Integr...

NIDAS (Newcastle Integrated Domestic Abuse Service)

Women's Services

Introduction to Service

NIDAS works with women and men experiencing domestic abuse to provide a safe environment and support. The project is run by Changing Lives, in partnership with Action for Children and Rape Crisis.

Through our specialist support, we aim to reduce the long-term risk of violence and abuse, helping people to live safely and independently. We know that everybody’s life is different, so we will listen to what is important to people and we will discuss options. We want people to have choice and control about the type of support that they receive from us.

Whatever someone’s circumstances, we’ll work with them to reduce risks to safety and wellbeing, and to overcome any practical concerns.

NIDAS is delivered by Changing Lives in partnership with Action for Children and Rape Crisis.

Changing Lives provide specialist support and accommodation services for women all over the country. This includes refuge provision for women escaping domestic violence, IDVA and ISVA services, and support to women involved in sex work or at risk of sexual exploitation.

Action for Children’s (AFC) Family Support Practitioner and part time Counsellor will provide specialist support for CYP within the purpose-built safe accommodation and via outreach. Action for Children (AfC) has extensive experience in supporting vulnerable CYP and their families both at home and in community settings.

Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland will provide specialist counselling and delivery of the REFRESH programme for people accessing NIDAS.

Key Information

Refuge - Purpose-built refuge in Newcastle for women and their children, offers 14 private flats, each with up to three bedrooms.

Outreach - One-to-one support plans unique to individual needs

IDVA support - We provide support to high-risk victims (female and male aged 16+) through trained specialist workers (IDVA) and enable victims to access a range of legal and non-legal advice

ISVA support - We support people who have experienced sexual violence. Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) work with people both female and male aged 14+ who have experienced rape and sexual assault, whether they have reported this or not

Dispersed Accommodation - Newcastle Sanctum provides temporary dispersed accommodation support to women and men who have experiences of domestic abuse with additional needs that may prevent them from accessing mainstream refuge services. Find more information on Newcastle Sanctum here.

Referral Form

If you're a professional looking to refer an individual to our service, download the below referral forms:

Return it via email to nidas.team@changinglives.cjsm.net or Nidas.team@changing-lives.org.uk

How to access

If you need help, you can get in touch using the contact details below. We provide support to people regardless of whether they have or have not reported an incident to the police.

Referrals are also received from statutory agencies such as Northumbria Police and Social Services, as well as non-statutory agencies and self-referrals.

How to contact

NIDAS 24hr helpline: 0191 226 3688

IDVA/ISVA Service: 0191 481 4132.

In the event of an emergency, call 999.

Email us

Nidas.team@changing-lives.org.uk

Are you eligible?

We provide the below services:

IDVA - Available to all genders aged 16+ living in Newcastle

ISVA - Available to all genders aged 14+ living in Newcastle, and/or if violence happened in Newcastle

Refuge - Available to those who are Female, 16+ and their children (include male children up to the age of 16 years, subject to a risk assessment process) living in the UK

Outreach – Offered to all genders, 16+, living in Newcastle

Dispersed Accommodation - Available to all genders aged 18+ living in the UK

Not eligible for this service?

Check out our service index below to find all of the services we currently offer which you can filter by location, service type and also by type of referral. Click "I am referring myself, a friend or a family member" to find services you can personally refer to.

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