Ellisons has advised P.H.O.E.B.E on the acquisition of a second property in Ipswich, enabling the charity to expand its vital support services for women and children fleeing domestic violence. P.H.O.E.B.E is the only specialist, black and minoritised domestic abuse charity in East Anglia. It was set up by social workers, originally from Zimbabwe and is run using a social work model.
P.H.O.E.B.E (Promotion of Health, Opportunity, Equality, Benevolence and Empowerment) provides support in domestic abuse counselling, casework, immigration signposting and advocacy services, with a focus on increasing resource access for black and ethnic minority women and children across Suffolk.
The new property will significantly enhance the charity’s ability to provide safe refuge while also expanding its existing centre, creating additional space for essential support services and activities. Ellisons’ Commercial Property team, led by Bethan Williams, with support from Harriet Smith, advised on the transaction, continuing the firm’s strong relationship with the charity, having also acted on the purchase of its first property in early 2022.
The purchase was made possible through generous grants from the Bluethread Trust, Coutts Charitable Trust, Lloyds Bank Foundation, Treebeard Trust and Tudor Trust.
Mollin Delve, Chief Executive Officer of P.H.O.E.B.E, commented: “Black and minoritised women and children experience a chronic shortage of safe houses when faced with domestic abuse, due to their insecure immigration status. Hence this new safe space is crucial for women who are often left at high risk of harm. The practitioners at Ellisons were first-class as always. Their professionalism, responsiveness and attention to detail ensured we completed on time and within budget. It was a pleasure to work with a team that made what could have been a complex process feel so straightforward.”
Bethan Williams, Partner at Ellisons, added: “It has been a privilege to assist this incredible charity in securing a second property to expand its services. Their work is truly life-changing and we are exceptionally proud to have played a role in helping them provide safe spaces for those at risk of harm and in such need.”