<p>Thanks for choosing this charity for your donation.&nbsp; You are either donating&nbsp;to my&nbsp;"100 miles for 100 smiles" charity walk/run initiative or because you have engaged me to speak for you&nbsp;and I requested my speaker fee to be donated to this charity.</p> <p><strong>Refuge offers a range of services which gives women and children access to professional support whatever their situation.&nbsp; These services include:</strong></p> <p><strong>National Domestic Violence </strong><strong>Helpline</strong></p> <p>The Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline, run in partnership with Women&rsquo;s Aid, is open 24 hours a day, every single day.&nbsp; Our helpline workers are there to give emotional support and practical information.&nbsp; They help women explore their options and escape abuse.</p> <p><strong>A network of refuges across the country</strong></p> <p>Our refuges provide emergency accommodation for women fleeing abuse.&nbsp; But they are more than just a roof over a head.&nbsp; They give women the time and space to make decisions about their futures.&nbsp; Our specialist refuge staff are on hand to provide emotional and practical support.</p> <p><strong>Independent legal advocacy</strong></p> <p>Our Independent Domestic Violence Advocates provide expert guidance for women going through civil and criminal courts.&nbsp; They help women to obtain non-molestation injunctions and occupation orders, and they help increase conviction rates.</p> <p><strong>Outreach services</strong></p> <p>Some women may choose not to go into a refuge or leave their home.&nbsp; Our outreach workers meet with women at safe times in their own homes or at a discreet place in the community.&nbsp; They help women to draw up safety plans, progress housing applications and also provide emotional support.</p> <p><strong>Psychological services</strong></p> <p>Our psychologists help women and children overcome the traumatic effects of abuse.&nbsp; They run counselling sessions with mothers and children, helping them to work through feelings of fear, guilt and confusion.</p> <p><strong>Culturally specific services</strong></p> <p>Women and children from minority ethnic groups often find it difficult to access mainstream support services.&nbsp; Refuge provides culturally specific refuges and outreach programmes for Eastern European, African, and Asian families.</p> <p><strong>Prevention and education</strong></p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>Refuge runs award-winning advertising campaigns to raise awareness of domestic violence.&nbsp; Our campaigns also reach out to women, telling them where to get help and reminding them that they are not alone.</p> <p><strong>Policy</strong></p> <p>We lobby the government hard to ensure that domestic violence remains high on the political agenda. &nbsp;We also encourage other agencies to develop best practice services to meet the needs of women and children experiencing domestic violence.</p> <p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>