Safenet has begun a new partnership with NatWest Burnley to give survivors at Jane’s Place practical help with their finances.
NatWest will now visit Jane’s Place weekly to offer confidential drop-in sessions, which will be especially helpful for anyone who has experienced economic abuse or been left managing coerced debt.
Survivors can speak to staff from the Burnley branch about budgeting, debt, credit scores, opening a bank account, or any financial worries they’re trying to manage. The first session has already taken place and has been a positive first step in giving survivors space to rebuild financial confidence in a safe and supportive environment.
For many people who come to Safenet, financial abuse has played a major role in their situation. It can take the form of coerced debt, being denied access to money, or having bank accounts controlled by an abuser. These impacts don’t disappear overnight, and they often make it harder to move forward. This partnership gives survivors the chance to talk through these issues with someone who understands the pressures and can offer straightforward, judgement-free support.
Alongside the drop-ins, NatWest is also able to deliver their Financial Foundations workshops across Safenet’s services in Lancashire. These sessions focus on building financial skills and confidence in a way that is accessible and relevant to people at any stage of recovery.
Speaking on the new partnership, Sam Johnson, Service Manager at Jane’s Place, said: “Financial abuse is a core tactic of economic and domestic abuse. Banking support is a lifeline to survivors so they can escape abuse and live independently.
“Without secure access to banking, survivors can’t regain financial independence and without financial independence, escaping abuse becomes almost impossible.
“We welcome this partnership with NatWest which helps survivors access safe accounts, support around their financial health and non‑judgmental assistance to rebuild stability and financial independence.”
The impact this partnership can have on survivors is already clear, as one survivor shared: “I found the session really useful as I needed a bank account and help was offered straight away in the session to set one up.
“It’s great to receive help to have my own account so I can be in charge of my money.”
NatWest Burnley has also invited Safenet to spend time in their branch, giving staff and customers the chance to learn more about domestic abuse and the support available locally. This helps raise awareness in the wider community and strengthens links between Safenet and organisations who want to help.
Since the pilot at Jane’s Place Safenet has set up a similar partnership with NatWest in Lancaster and Bury. Safenet is exploring how this approach can be extended wider, ensuring more survivors can access practical financial guidance as part of their recovery journey.