Swindon's TSB branch to offer a dedicated 'Safe Space' for abuse victims
The bank is offering rooms across the country to help those at risk
TSB branches across the country, including in Swindon, are joining a scheme to help those suffering from domestic violence.
Launched by domestic abuse charity Hestia, the Safe Spaces will offer support.
The private room can be used by victims to contact family or friends, as well as calling charities and organisations.
Contact details of main support services, local and national, will also be there.
Safe Spaces is part of Hestia's UK SAYS NO MORE campaign, launched in response to the challenges that lockdown has placed on victims of abuse.
'We had a woman write to us recently saying a Safe Space had saved her life'
Jo Tilley-Riley, Director of Fundraising and Communication at Hestia, says the scheme has already aided people at risk:
"Making sure every victim of domestic abuse has a Safe Space in their local high street and local area is really crucial ... to take back control of their life.
"We had a woman write to us recently to say using a Safe Space had saved her life.
"She had been shielding and was able to go to her local pharmacy, with the excuse of collecting a prescription, and use the room.
"Over the course of weeks, she was able to call support services, solicitors and family to plan her escape".
Staff across the 290 TSB branches joining the scheme have received training in how to react to disclosures of domestic abuse.
However, employees at any Safe Space are not expected to give advice, as Jo explains:
"They are providing the space as a bridge to specialist support. We do not expect them to be experts, but (offer) support for the individual to come into the room to access the help that is available.
"In the Safe Space, all the helpline numbers are available, but also the Bright Sky app for the local abusive services.
"We've heard from one individual who used it to take time to think about things and breathe, before deciding what they want to do next.
"It really is to be used for whatever the individual needs at that moment in time".