We help people to cope and recover from the aftermath and trauma of sexual violence.
The Hope Programme offers a telephone support line, information, counselling to people over 10 years of age in Bedfordshire who have suffered rape and sexual violence at any point in their lives.
We regret The Hope Programme is not accepting referrals at this time from professionals and other front line workers due to the increased volume of victims asking for help.
Please advise our clients to call our helpline for more information and contacts who may be able to provide interim services. Victims cannot expect contact from Hope until at least April.
Coronavirus
Sexual harassment, abuse, and assault do not end during a crisis. We continue to provide services to all survivors and their loved ones during the pandemic. As a committed public partner, the health and safety of our programme’s clients, volunteers, and employees are paramount.
Partners with a network of rape support are limiting in-person services, but all remain available to continue providing free and confidential services to support those that need it through telephone and technology platforms.
We encourage anyone in need of help to contact their local rape crisis centre, the numbers and helpline are in the local and national directories. These centres have expert staff available to the public to help answer questions and coordinate any services that may be needed based on the individual’s choices. Some programmes are able to provide video conferencing depending on technology access and client preference.
How Hope is providing support throughout the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic
We have continued to provide support and advice by telephone, email and limited face to face appointments. Following the relaxing of restrictions, we will review the face-to-face services provided ensuring that this is done in a way that continues to keep everyone as safe as possible.
You should seek help from the Bedfordshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 01234 842750, Bedfordshire Police on 101 for non-emergencies or 999 for immediate support.
We continue to offer emotional support if you are on our waiting list for counselling and advice.
We take the health, safety and wellbeing of you, our team, and the wider community very seriously. To ensure we continue to keep everyone as safe as possible during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, following the relaxation of restrictions we will increase the number of services provided face to face as we go into the New Year. This means this process will take some time and depends on individual client / service user and service delivery needs, as well as the latest government guidance.
If you would like more information on how we are changing services, please call our helpline on:
0300 365 1045, Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 5pm with answer phone service .
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic we have provided our team with additional support, including completing comprehensive related assessments to ensure our working spaces continue to be safe, comfortable, and confidential. To do this we are following the expert guidance issued by the government, NHS, and Public Health England.
Covid-19 Information and Resources
You will find details of online resources from various trusted sources below:
www.gov.uk/coronavirus
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
www.london.gov.uk/coronavirus
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus
www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/coronavirus-and-mental-health
www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/coronavirus-advice-suppport-children-families-parents