Hillingdon Council is inviting its tenants and leaseholders who have experienced domestic abuse or violence against women and girls (VAWG) to join a new programme designed to ensure survivors' voices help shape its housing services.
The 'Amplifying Survivor Voices' project, supported by a £120,000 grant from the government’s Social Housing Innovation Fund, will establish a dedicated 12-member survivor advisory panel, giving participants a safe and supportive way to share their experiences and influence enhancements to services.
The council has appointed Solace Women’s Aid, one of London's leading charities supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse and VAWG, to help deliver the project. Solace will provide specialist support working with the council to assess risk, guide participants and help create a safe and supportive environment for survivors to share their views.
The initiative aims to ensure survivors are involved with shaping future policies, scrutinising performance and identifying opportunities to further improve the support available for vulnerable residents.
Cllr Nick Denys, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Property, said: "The council is always looking for ways to improve what we do for our tenants.
"We know that some of our residents have been through difficult experiences, and our normal methods of engagement might not be the best way of understanding their needs.
"This project gives us the opportunity to hear and understand domestic abuse survivors' experiences, which will support the council to adapt its services to help others who have been through similar trauma.
"It goes beyond just listening to survivors, it will provide a safe and respectful platform for them to share their unique perspectives in a way that leads to positive changes.”
Residents played a key role in shaping and co-designing the project. A resident contributor said: "I was delighted to be involved in developing the project. As a resident and survivor, seeing the council treat our lived experience as vital expertise is an opportunity for us to make sure council housing services work for everyone and that survivors of domestic abuse in the borough can share their views in a safe meaningful way.”
The initiative will also provide training for the council’s housing, repairs, and anti-social behaviour officers to support their engagement with vulnerable residents and help address survivors' specific safety needs.
Council tenants and leaseholders affected by domestic abuse or VAWG can register their interest by emailing survivorvoices@hillingdon.gov.uk.
For more information, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/amplifying-survivor-voices.