What services do Behind Closed Doors provide?

• Listen and provide emotional support in strict confidence.
• Offer support and information over the phone or face to face.
• Provide support and information on housing, health and welfare rights.
• Provide support, information and accompany clients to civil and criminal proceedings.
• Refer women and children to refuges across the country and to temporary emergency accommodation.
• Support women in obtaining appropriate services, including Police.
• Put women in touch with other support agencies that can offer other specialist help and advice.
• Accompany women to appointments e.g. solicitors, Police, housing or benefits.
• Work in the community to raise awareness about domestic abuse and how other services and agencies can help. (See our Training page for further information)

How did it all start?

Behind Closed Doors was first established in 1997 by a group of women in the North West of Leeds. All of them had either a personal or professional experience of domestic abuse. They were concerned about the lack of specialist service which they saw in the area.

In the beginning the women ran a helpline for just two hours a week giving support and advice to women experiencing domestic abuse. They also offered support and information to local agencies.

In 2001 a successful funding application to the National Lottery meant they could finally employ a full-time worker dedicated to the project. Volunteers were recruited and trained and in 2004 Comic Relief granted Behind Closed Doors the funds to appoint a Project Co-ordinator for three years. Succeeding bids awarded by the Tudor Trust and the Big Lottery Fund secured running costs and a full time outreach worker for the project and Lloyds TSB then funded a part time womens support worker.

Behind Closed Doors today

The project has gone from strength to strength and now has four paid staff. There is a volunteer program in place and since 2004, twelve volunteers have been recruited and trained. Four have gone on to achieve paid work in a related area. Three have taken up further studies.

The project is committed to expansion and to the provision of a comprehensive service to women in West and North West Leeds, including the outlying rural areas.

• See our Volunteers page for further information on becoming a volunteer.
• Visit our Funding page to find out how you can help support our work.
• Read or download our Annual Report for year end 31st March 2007.