On this website there is an Instant Chat option which, if you click on it, will take you to a staff member who will answer any questions you have, or offer you an assessment appointment. The Instant Chat option is open Monday to Friday between 10 am and 4 pm.
Beira’s Place does not have a helpline so any telephone calls come through to our office, but you will be able to speak to one of our trained support staff between 10 am and 5 pm and make an appointment or discuss other support options. There are several helplines run by other organisations available for domestic and sexual survivors. These are listed below.
You can also contact us by email on support@beirasplace.org.uk or by text on 07546 697 067 to make a first assessment appointment.
Useful information
The assessment appointment
We have produced an information sheet ‘Explaining the Assessment Process’ which gives detailed information on what you can expect when you arrive for your first appointment. As well as talking some personal details, it will also be useful for us to know why you are seeking support at Beira’s Place. At this point, we don’t need a lot of detail, and indeed what you tell us about your experiences of violence and abuse will always be in your hands. By giving us an outline of why you have come to us, you will help us make sure we are the right support service for you, and so that we can make sure you get the right support worker.
The assessment appointment usually lasts one hour. However, we know it can be difficult to meet with, and speak to, a stranger about some of the most painful and private parts of your life. If you feel that an hour is too much, we could split that into two shorter sessions to make sure we get the information we need, and you feel more comfortable. Speak to your support worker when you contact the centre, or at the first assessment appointment.
The support services
Our service is open to women only, aged 16 and over and who live in the Lothians (East Lothian, Midlothian/Edinburgh City, and West Lothian). The centre is women only and all staff are women[1].
At Beira’s Place we offer face to face support to survivors of any form of sexual violence, abuse and sexual exploitation, no matter when this has happened in their lives. Support appointments last up to one hour and are usually weekly. If weekly appointments are difficult (for example, for shift workers), this can be changed to suit the woman and her support worker. Some evening appointments will be available.
Not everyone wants in-person support so we can offer regular telephone support at a time that suits both you, and your support worker. We do have some evening support appointments so if you need one of these appointments, for example, for work reasons, we will do our best to accommodate you.
We can also offer online support via Zoom. This can be particularly useful to women who don’t want to travel into Edinburgh city centre, who may be disabled, or have caring responsibilities, or it may be that you feel more comfortable a bit removed from the support worker. We will always do our best to accommodate your needs at a time that suits.
[1] Equality Act (2010) Provision 212: General Interpretation (1) (d) “’woman’ means a female of any age”
Useful links
Edinburgh and Lothians
Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre
0131 556 9437
www.ercc.scot
NHS Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)
www.nhsinform.scot/sarcswww.ercc.scot
Edinburgh Women’s Aid
0131 315 8110
www.edinwomensaid.co.uk
Shakti Women’s Aid
0131 475 2399
www.shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
Email: info@shaktiedinburgh.co.uk
Shakti Women’s Aid supports BME women and children who have experienced domestic abuse from a partner, ex-partner or other members of the household
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Team
01506 281 055
Email: dasat@westlothian.gov.uk
West Lothian Domestic and Sexual Assault Team (DASAT) – Health and Well-being (misinform.scot)
Trauma Support (Edinburgh)
This project has a woman’s support pathway that can be accessed by visiting the website and completing the enquiry form
helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Rivers Centre
For over 18s. A referral from a health professional is required for this service
rivers.centre@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/A-Z/RiversCentre/Pages/default.aspx
Sexual Health Clinics in Lothian
Scotland
Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
0800 027 1234
Open 24 hours a day
helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
www.sdafmh.org.uk
Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline
08088 01 03 02
Text Number 07537 401 027
support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
The helpline is open every day of the year between 5pm and midnight. Find a local rape crisis centre on this site as well as many useful resources.
Scottish Women’s Aid
Find a local women’s aid group on this site. Many useful domestic abuse resources.
www.womensaid.scot
Scottish Women’s Rights Centre
08088 010 789
Contact this number for their helpline, plus information about their legal surgeries.
info@scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk
www.scottishwomensrightscentre.org.uk
Trauma Counselling Line Scotland
Contact them through their website where there is an enquiry form to be completed.
www.Trauma Counselling Line Scotland (TCLS) (health-in-mind.org.uk)
Action Against Stalking
0800 820 2427
Voicemail service but someone will return the call
Support@actionagainststalking.org
www.actionagainststalking.org.uk
