Who we are

Refuge is a national charity (277424) and a company limited by guarantee (1412276).

Council of management

Refuge is governed by a council of management consisting of a chair and eleven members. The council of management meets quarterly and exercises its management functions through a system of delegated authority. Members are professional individuals skilled in management and community care, property management, finance, health and safety, equal opportunities, marketing and the law.

Chief executive

Refuge's chief executive, Sandra Horley OBE, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the charity and implementation of policy.

She has 28 years' experience in the field of domestic violence, including giving evidence to UK Government select committees, acting as advisor to foreign governments, giving expert witness testimony in criminal trials, making keynote speeches and publishing books on domestic violence.

Staff

Refuge employs around 125 staff spread across the following areas:

• Refuge workers.
• Counselling staff.
• Helpline workers.
• Administrative and head office staff.
• You can find out about opportunities for working at Refuge on our Jobs page.

Volunteers

We have a team of trained volunteers working alongside paid staff on the 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline.

Other volunteers help us out in fundraising and from time to time.

We do not use volunteers within our refuges, for reasons of confidentiality and the need to provide sensitive, discreet and professional support to vulnerable women and children.