Respect Men’s Advice Line supports distribution of the flexible fund

Respect is proud to be one of the Women’s Aid member organisations referring into the flexible fund for survivors. The flexible fund is made up of two pots, the Flee Fund and the Future Fund, designed to support victims/survivors in different ways.

The Flee Fund (£250-£500)

This fund will support victims/survivors to flee abusive relationships by giving them a one-off payment of £250 - £500 for essential items, such as groceries, or support with new accommodation. 

Who is eligible for the Flee Fund (£250-£500)?

Any survivor (over the age of 16 years old) who has experienced one or more of the following in the last 12 months:

• Financial barrier to leaving shared home with perpetrator
• Financial barrier to separating from (fleeing) a perpetrator
• Financial barrier to caring for their children or caring for family members)
• Unable to access benefits or waiting for benefits after fleeing abuse
• No access to benefits because of immigration status

AND ability to flee can be increased by financial support relating to one or more of the following:

• Transportation costs relating to escaping abuse (taxi, bus fare, etc.)
• Accommodation related costs relating to moving to new accommodation(e.g. renting a van)
• Furnishings (e.g. white goods, carpet)
• Deposit, rent, mortgage
• Essential items (food, clothes, cleaning products)
• Securing property (locks, CCTV)
• Energy and utility bills
• Additional needs related to children
• Specialist support based on individual need (e.g., religious items, medical items/needs, translation costs, specialist equipment).
• Debt

The Future Fund (up to £2500)

Victims/survivors can apply for a further one-off payment of up to £2,500 to help secure a stable, independent future, such as putting down a deposit for rental accommodation. This could play an important role in preventing homelessness and alleviate some of the financial pressures faced by victims/survivors, when thinking about their futures. 

Who is eligible for the Future Fund (up to £2500)?

Any survivor who has experienced one or more of the following in the last 36 months:

• Financial barrier to future planning to securing independence/stability while accessing a domestic abuse service
• Financial barrier to caring for their children or other family members
• Unable to access benefits or waiting for benefits whilst moving on
• No access to benefits because of immigration status

AND funds will support one or more of the following:

• Accommodation related costs relating to moving to new accommodation (e.g., renting van).
• Accommodation costs relating to staying in the current property by making security upgrade (camera, lockers, change of keys, etc.)
• Furnishings (e.g. white goods, carpet)
• Deposit, rent, mortgage.
• Essential Items (e.g. food, clothes, cleaning products)
• Energy and utility bills
• Additional needs related to children
• Specialist support based on individual need (e.g., religious items/needs, medical items/needs, translation costs, specialist equipment)
• Debt

How can male victims access this support?

To ensure victims/survivors from a whole range of demographics and backgrounds can access the flexible fund, 470 support services will be able to refer in, making applications on behalf of people accessing their services. One of these support services is the Respect Men’s Advice Line, our helpline for male victims of domestic abuse.

Our expert advisors on the Men’s Advice Line will be able to refer into the fund directly, making applications for funding on behalf of male victims contacting the helpline. 

If you are a male victim, who is facing financial barriers to fleeing an abusive relationship, you can access the fund by contacting the Men’s Advice Line.

If you would like to know more about the fund, Women’s Aid has published a series of FAQs.