Minister hears how Wheatley Group is supporting survivors of domestic abuse

Community Safety Minister Elena Whitham MSP has heard how Wheatley Group is supporting survivors of domestic abuse through an award-winning move-on service.

Staff from Wheatley Group and Revive Scotland with Community Safety Minister Elena Whitham

Ms Whitham spent time with survivors of domestic abuse to hear how the Revive Scotland project, in partnership with Homefinder UK, gives tenants a safe place to call home.

She heard how one woman, who was forced to flee her family home, has transformed her life and is now happy and safe in new accommodation.

Launched in July 2021, Revive Scotland is a partnership between Wheatley – Scotland’s leading housing, care and property-management group – and national housing allocation scheme, Homefinder UK.

Revive Scotland supports women and their children to be rehoused away from their abuser and find safe housing in different areas.

Judges at last year’s Chartered Institute of Housing’s Scotland Housing Awards selected Revive Scotland as the winner of the ‘Excellence in Housing Innovation’ category.

Community Safety Minister Elena Whitham said: “I would like to congratulate the Revive Scotland project on winning the Excellence in Housing Innovation award.

“The project, which is supported by Scottish Government’s Homelessness Prevention Fund, supports women experiencing homelessness as a result of domestic abuse.

“Our vision is that everyone in Scotland has a safe place they can call home. This valuable and innovative work by the project has made a real difference to tenant’s lives and helped us come closer to achieving this goal.”

Revive Scotland involves 143 partners and agencies working together, including other social housing providers, local authorities, Police Scotland and Women’s Aid. To date, the project has supported 25 women, as well as 30 children, affected by domestic abuse in their own home.

Jo Armstrong, Chair of Wheatley Group, said: “We were delighted to welcome the minister to learn how this project is changing the lives of survivors of domestic abuse through new homes.

“We believe everyone has the right to live in a peaceful and safe home. This award-winning project is a lifeline for people for whom, unfortunately, this is not possible. It provides safety and a bright new future.”

Thursday, February 09, 2023