Haringey Labour has agreed to purchase the former NHS building on Burgoyne Road to be used as a refuge facility for survivors of domestic abuse. This decision was made at the Haringey Cabinet meeting on 10th December and is the latest example of Haringey Labour’s key civic investment in Haringey, despite the impact of Tory and Lib Dem austerity. This investment is being facilitated by a capital grant from the Greater London Authority.

This building is a former Clinic located in Harringay Ward and has been listed and for disposal by Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health National Health Service Trust. The move by the Council to acquire the property will ensure this site remains in public ownership and control, and in use as a community space.

The provision of refuges across the borough is integral to our commitment to building a fairer Haringey. We are working hard to ensure that refuges in Haringey are of good quality and fully accessible to all women.

The Council will also be exploring new models of refuge provision on the site, in particular, the intention is to develop Burgoyne Road as an ‘Open Refuge’. This means that it will not be at a secret address and instead will provide refuge accommodation and support and encourage early intervention.

This service will be developed in collaboration with survivors of domestic abuse who have previously lived in refuge accommodation and will enable the Council to embed their experiences and insights at the heart of building and service design.

Cllr Sarah James, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health said

“I am delighted that we are purchasing Burgoyne Road former health centre, which we will use to create a new refuge facility for survivors of domestic abuse.

“By acquiring a currently unused building from the NHS Trust we will build a state-of-the-art refuge facility which is fully accessible to all women, we will achieve better outcomes for survivors of domestic abuse.”