Friends of SADA is a domestic abuse charity supporting women, men, children and young persons that have experienced (or are experiencing) domestic violence and abuse. We work with statutory, voluntary and any other organisations to relieve the distress suffered by victims and work with statutory agencies to prevent abuse.
Having started in Stevenage, the service has slowly grown over the last few years and now supports authorities across Hertfordshire. We currently run and maintain 34 Safe Space properties to support those fleeing domestic abuse from across the country. We also run the SADA House refuge in Stevenage.
During the pandemic, SADA saw referrals increase by over 90%. The Housing Navigator Pilot was introduced following the implementation of the Domestic Abuse Bill 2021.
Hertfordshire County Council awarded SADA the contract to provide the SADA service county wide with a key focus on housing advice and guidance, as this had been identified as one of the biggest barriers faced by victims and survivors of Domestic Abuse.
The Housing Navigator Pilot ran from 2021 to 2022. Due to the success of the Pilot, SADA has continued to provide the SADA Service county wide working closely with every local authority in Hertfordshire.
Friends of SADA is blessed to be supported by professionals from a range of backgrounds with both worked and lived experiences of the difficulties our clients face.
Community Safety Manager, Stevenage Borough Council
Community Safety Partnership Development Officer
Domestic Abuse Liaison Officer
To oversee the governance and operations of the charity, Friends of SADA has a number of elected Trustees providing guidance and support.
Chair of Trustees (Elected)
Trustee
Trustee
The team at SADA utilise their expertise, compassion and unwavering commitment to help empower survivors to break free from the cycle of abuse.
Community Safety Manager, Stevenage Borough Council
Finance Officer
Secretary
We are so proud to say that our team at Friends of SADA have been awarded with the High Sheriff Award for our work with victims and survivors.
We expanded our service to cover all areas of Hertfordshire, opened a Women’s Center in Stevenage, work with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough clients and do regular virtual online courses and training sessions. For more information about SADA's achievements, visit our SADA Page on the Stevenage Borough Council Directory.
We are currently working with Evolve from The No More Service to support the launch of their Perpetrator Programme.
We are also helping to expand on Modern Slavery Support to North Hertfordshire.
