I have been sexually assaulted
I am supporting someone
I am a professional
Sexual Assault Referral Centre
Hope House SARC offers immediate emotional and practical support; as well as medical care, to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted.
We're proud to be supporting the LGBTQ+ community
Quick Content
I have been raped
Advice and support
Visiting Hope House SARC
What to expect when you visit
Forensic Medical Examination
What does a Forensic Medical Examination involve?
Frequently asked questions
How to find Hope House SARC
How and where to find us
About Hope House SARC
Hope House Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) is a service in Gloucestershire offering emotional and practical support as well as medical care to anyone who has experienced sexual violence or sexual abuse.
Clients are offered our services based on their individual needs, and can choose to use as much or as little of our service as they wish.
Our clients can access Hope House SARC via the Police and other professionals. Clients can also contact the SARC directly to arrange an appointment without Police involvement.
We also offer information and support to friends and family.
In this short video Service Manager Ava talks about Hope House SARC and the support available to people who have experienced sexual abuse or violence.
The Hope House SARC team
Our Service Manager is supported by a team of specially-trained crisis workers, forensic examiners and counsellors.
Crisis Workers
If you call us, or attend our SARC in person, the first person you will speak to, or meet, will be a specially trained Crisis Worker.
You will be offered a choice of either a male or female Crisis Worker. They will listen to you, explain your options and discuss what support they can arrange for you.
If you come to Hope House SARC for a Forensic Medical Examination, the Crisis Worker will support you whilst you are here. They will remain by your side and will ensure that when you leave Hope House, all necessary support is in place.
In this short video, Crisis Worker Karen talks more about her role and how she and her fellow crisis workers are on hand at the SARC to provide support.
Forensic Examiners
If you attend Hope House SARC, you may meet one of our Forensic Nurse Examiners or Doctors.
All of our specialist nurses and doctors at SARC are trained in caring for people who have experienced sexual violence or sexual abuse.
They will provide care and support to meet your immediate health and wellbeing needs. They will also be able to look for, and collect, evidence that can assist a police investigation, should you choose to go ahead with a forensic medical examination.
If you choose to have a medical examination, the nurse or doctor will explain exactly what to expect and will ensure that you are informed and in control, every step of the way. Nothing will happen unless you give consent.
In this short video Forensic Nurse Kay talks about the friendly and supportive team of Forensic Nurses and Doctors at SARC, and the support and care offered to all clients who attend SARC for a forensic examination.
Counsellors
If you are referred for counselling, you will meet one of our Sexual Violence Counsellors. Our counsellors have extensive experience of working with trauma and understand the impact of sexual abuse.
Your counsellor will offer you the choice of telephone, video and face to face based sessions. They will encourage you to talk about what’s distressing you, in a safe and confidential environment. Sexual abuse impacts people in lots of different ways and our counsellors recognise this.
Your counsellor will be there to support you, they will respect your views and will not judge you. They will not give you advice, but will listen to you and help you find ways to work through your experiences.
In this short film, Liz talks about the counselling service available at Hope House SARC.
Call us for confidential advice on 0300 421 8400
We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
This animation is based on the experiences of victims and survivors of sexual assaults and abuse, as told in their own words.
“The staff that looked after me were welcoming and kind.
They made me feel comfortable and made me feel safe.”
I have been sexually assaulted
You may be feeling scared, confused and isolated. We can help you. We have a team of dedicated Crisis Workers and Forensic Examiners who have been specially trained to support you.
Less than 10 days ago
I want to report to the Police
Call 101 or 999
A specially trained Police Officer will speak to you about what has happened to you.
With your consent, the Police will arrange for you to attend Hope House SARC so that we can assess your medical needs, collect any forensic evidence that could be used in an investigation and also offer you practical and emotional support, including counselling.
You can still have an examination even if you have already washed, although there may be more DNA evidence on your body, if you are able to wait until after the examination. We have a private shower and fresh toiletries on site.
If you would like to know more about your reporting options, or need help to report, call us on 0300 421 8400.
I’m unsure about reporting to the Police
It’s okay to feel unsure.
Call us on 0300 421 8400 to talk to one of our specially trained Crisis Workers. We can arrange for a specialist Doctor or Nurse to examine you, to check that you are OK. They will assess your medical needs and can also collect and store forensic evidence in case you change your mind later. With your consent, we will store your samples for two years, giving you time to decide.
You can still have an examination even if you have already washed, although there may be more DNA evidence on your body, if you are able to wait until after the examination. We have a private shower and fresh toiletries on site.
We will make sure your sexual health needs are looked after and will offer you practical and emotional support, including counselling.
More than 10 days ago
It is never too late to seek the support you need following a rape or a sexual assault.
I want to report to the Police
Call 101 or 999
Regardless of when the incident occured, the Police will want to hear about what has happened and help you.
A specially trained Police Officer will speak to you about what has happened to you. They will arrange for you to attend a video interview. An Independant Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) can support you when you meet with the Police for this interview.
With your consent, they will also contact us. As well as offering immediate advice and support, we can support you with the following:
- Address any sexual health needs by referring you our sexual health services.
- Discuss support options, including counselling.
If you would like to know more about your reporting options, or need help to report, call us on 0300 421 8400.
I’m unsure about reporting to the Police
It’s okay to feel unsure.
Call us on 0300 421 8400 to talk to one of our specially trained Crisis Workers. They will listen to you and explain what support is available to you and help you decide on your next steps.
You do not have to tell the Crisis Worker your name or contact details unless you choose to.
If you do give us your name and contact details, we can help arrange specialist support.
As well as offering immediate advice and support, we can support you with the following:
- Address any sexual health needs by referring you to our sexual health services.
- Inform you of your reporting options.
- Discuss support options, including counselling.
A service user shares her experience of receiving support from Hope House SARC.
Forensic Medical Examination
If something has happened to you within the last 10 days, we will give you the option to have an examination, which can help to preserve evidence. We can offer this even if you are unsure whether you want to report the incident to the police. If you have not involved the police your samples will remain with us for two years.
What does a forensic medical examination involve?
Your overall health is important to us and so we will ask you questions about your medical health; including any medications you are on. We will also confirm with you what has happened to you.
We will discuss with you, your ongoing care needs such as: prevention of pregnancies; prevention of blood borne viruses such as Hepatitis B and HIV; your general health; your mental health; your sexual health including STI screening and your safety.
We can also offer you a top to toe examination. During this examination we are able to:
- Collect forensics evidence from areas such as your skin, hair and intimate body parts (penis, vagina, anus, breasts). We will always talk you through the different evidence we can take. We may also ask permission to take some blood, urine and hair samples. Clothing that you have worn at the time of the assault or afterwards, may also be an important source for forensic evidence that we can consider.
- Record any injuries we can see, or you can show us, either intimate or non-intimate. Please remember it is common for there to be no injuries after a sexual assault and rape.
In this short film, Lead Forensic Nurse Kay explains what happens during a forensic examination following a sexual assault.
You can stop or pause the examination at any time during the examination. The important thing is that you are comfortable with the process and that you feel in control.
We are here to support you as much as you need. Your Forensic Nurse Examiner and Crisis Worker will do all they can to make the examination as comfortable for you as possible.
How to report any concerns
To report any concerns regarding the quality of the forensic service you have received, contact:
Tel: 0800 917 0967 24/7
Visit the Forensic Science Regulator website: Forensic Science Regulator’s Anonymous Reporting Line | Crimestoppers (theiline.co.uk)
“Thank you for making me feel comfortable and helping me through it all, without feeling embarrassed”
I am supporting
a friend or relative
Hope House SARC offers information and advice to friends and family.
How you can support someone you care about
It can be really hard for someone to talk about being raped or sexually assaulted. How you respond to them can make a real difference.
You may be feeling anxious, angry, sad or distant from your friend or relative. These are very normal responses to seeing someone you care about hurting.
Their reactions, associated with the trauma of rape and sexual abuse, are natural safety mechanisms. The body and mind are reacting to a dangerous situation:
• Fear and anger are protective feelings.
• Mistrust and forgetfulness are protective thoughts.
• Isolation and forming extra identities are protective behaviours.
The most important things you can do to support someone is by:
- Listening to them.
- Reassuring them that their feelings are normal.
- Respecting their decision on whether they want to report it or not.
- Being patient.
- Believing them.
- Continuing to offer unconditional support and love.
- Encouraging them.
- Asking them what they need and how you can help.
For more advice on how to support someone you care about, call Hope House SARC on 0300 421 8400
When the assault has happened less than 10 days ago
If someone you know has been recently raped or sexually assaulted, it can be a very distressing and confusing time for you both.
You can help to support the person who has been assaulted by;
- Explaining what their options are and what happens next.
- Contacting Hope House SARC or accompanying them to the nearest Police station.
- Helping them to feel safe.
- Listening to them and supporting them through the recovery process.
If they want to report to the police
Call 101 or 999
A specially trained Police Officer will speak to them about what has happened. They may wish to speak to you too.
With their consent, the Police will arrange for them to attend Hope House SARC so that we can assess their medical needs, collect any forensic evidence that could be used in an investigation and also offer them practical and emotional support, including counselling.
You can attend Hope House SARC with them (if they would like you to). We have free parking facilities directly outside.
After the examination, the Police will arrange for them to attend a video interview. An Independant Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) can support them when they meet with the Police for this interview.
If they are unsure about reporting to the Police
Reassure them that it’s okay to feel unsure and that they are in control of any decision they make.
They can call us on 0300 421 8400 to talk to one of our specially trained Crisis Workers. They might ask that you call us on their behalf. This is okay too.
We can arrange for a specialist Doctor or Nurse to examine them, to check that they are OK. We can also collect and store forensic evidence in case they change their mind later. With their consent, we will store their samples for two years, giving them time to decide.
You can attend Hope House SARC with them (if they would like you to). We have free parking facilities directly outside.
We will make sure all of their sexual health needs are looked after and will offer them practical and emotional support, including counselling.
When the assault has happened more than 10 days ago
If someone you know has disclosed a non recent incident of sexual abuse or sexual assault, it can be a very distressing and confusing time for you both.
It is important to reassure them that it is never too late to seek support.
You can help to support the person by;
- explaining what their options are.
- helping them to feel safe.
- listening to them and supporting them through the recovery process
If they want to report to the Police
Call 101 or 999
Regardless of when the incident occured, the Police will want to hear about what has happened, in order to help them.
A specially trained Police Officer will speak to them about what has happened. They will arrange for them to attend a video interview. An Independant Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) can support them when they meet with the Police for this interview.
With their consent, the Police will also contact us. As well as offering immediate advice and support, we can support the following:
- Address any sexual health needs by referring to our sexual health services.
- Discuss support options, including counselling.
If they would like to know more about their reporting options, or need help to report, they can call us on 0300 421 8400. With their consent, you can call us on their behalf.
They are unsure about reporting to the Police
Reassure them that it’s okay to feel unsure and that they are in control of any decision they make.
They can call us on 0300 421 8400 to talk to one of our specially trained Crisis Workers. Our Crisis Workers will listen, and will explain what support is available.
They do not have to tell the Crisis Worker their name or contact details unless they choose to. With their consent, you can call us on their behalf.
If they do give us their name and contact details, we can help arrange any support that they decide they want.
As well as offering immediate advice and support, we can support them with the following:
- Address any sexual health needs by referring to our sexual health services.
- Inform them of their reporting options.
- Discuss support options, including counselling.
Resources
To download our information leaflet, click HERE.
Other useful organisations
Gloucestershire Rape & Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC)
GRASAC is a county-wide service, providing emotional and practical support to survivors of rape & sexual assault. They offer a helpline, anonymous email service and 1:1 therapeutic support.
Helpline: 01452 526770 (12.00-2.00pm Mon & Thurs, 6.30pm-8.30pm Wed & Fri)
General Enquires: 01452 305421 (09.00-5.00pm Mon- Fri)
Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (glosrasac.org)
Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS)
GDASS is a county-wide service designed to reduce the level of domestic abuse and improve the safety of victims and their families. GDASS operate in all districts, offering a variety of support programmes for women and men over 16 years old who are experiencing domestic abuse.
Helpdesk: 01452 726 570
Home – Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS)
SurvivorsUK
SurvivorsUK offer a range of support services including counselling and therapy appointments, as well as online chat, for male survivors of sexual abuse. All services are provided by trained professionals who, as specialists in the field of male sexual violence, have helped many men to work through their experiences.
Telephone: 0203 598 3898
SurvivorsUK | We challenge the silence to support sexually abused men
Gloucestershire self-harm support (Rethink)
Gloucestershire Self Harm Helpline is a supportive, non-judgemental service for people who self harm, their friends, families and carers. Contact them by phone, text or webchat for confidential emotional support and information; support and understanding during a crisis. Open every day 5pm to 10pm.
Helpline: 0808 801 0606
Text: 07537 410022
Find Hope House SARC
I am a Professional
We provide advice and online resources to help you offer the right support to your clients.
You can call us on 0300 421 8400 or complete our online referral form.
Make a Referral
If someone has experienced sexual violence or sexual abuse within the last 10 days, please contact Hope House SARC via telephone.
You can contact us on 0300 421 8400. This is a 24 hour advice line and will be answered by one of our expert team.
If someone has experienced a rape or sexual assault over 10 days ago, you can follow the steps below to make a referral.
Making a referral to Hope House SARC
- Before making a referral to Hope House SARC please ensure you have the client’s informed consent.
- Complete our online referral form
Once we have received the referral, we will endeavour to contact client, no later than the next working day (Monday to Friday 9.00-17.00, excluding bank holidays).
Resources
To download our information leaflet, click here.
If you require any other literature regarding our services, please contact us via email (hopehouse.sarc@ghc.nhs.uk). We have posters and business cards available.
Training
Hope House SARC can provide training to professionals on responding to disclosures of sexual abuse.
If you would like a member of the team to attend one of your team meetings or staff training sessions, to talk about our service, this may also be arranged.
To discuss your bespoke training needs with a member of staff, contact Hope House SARC on hopehouse.sarc@ghc.nhs.uk or call 0300 421 8400
Visiting Hope House SARC
On arrival…
You will be greeted by one of our specially trained Crisis Workers, who will welcome you to the SARC. Our Crisis Worker is there to support you. If you are attending SARC for a Forensic Medical Examination, they will explain what is going to happen and make sure you understand. They will be able to answer any questions you may have.
If the Police have attended SARC with you, our Forensic Examiner will meet with the Police Officer, who will give them an account of the assault. This helps them consider what samples to take during the Forensic Medical Examination, as well as determine what other medical needs you may have.
When you are ready the Nurse or Doctor will invite you into the Forensic Medical Room where the examination will take place. The purpose of the Forensic Medical Examination is to look after your medical needs and gather evidence that can be used in a Police investigation.
You are in control. You can take breaks, skip a step or stop the consultation or examination at any time. Your Crisis Worker will stay by yourside throughout the examination.
The details of the Forensic Medical Examination will partly depend upon how much time has passed since your assault. Once the examination is complete, you will have the chance to shower and change into fresh clothing. We have shower facilities and toiletries on site.
Your Crisis Worker will talk to you about the aftercare services offered by Hope House SARC; as well as other local support agencies.
The Nurse or Doctor will complete all of their records. If any forensic samples were taken these will be handed over to the police officer. All samples are processed by the police and results do not come to the SARC. If you have not involved the Police then your samples will remain with us for 2 years.
“I felt in control of the whole process, from
beginning to end. I was given the opportunity to stop at any time.”
How to find us
We are on the ground floor of Hope House Sexual Health Clinic. We have a discrete side entrance. Free parking is also available directly outside our front entrance.
Our SARC is clearly signposted across the hospital site, however should you have any problems finding us, please give us a call on 0300 421 8400.
By Car: Hope House SARC, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Great Western Road GL1 3NN.
By Rail: Gloucester railway station is a five-minute walk (Bruton Way, Gloucester GL1 1DE)
By Bus: Gloucester Transport Hub is a five-minute walk (Station Road, Gloucester GL1 1SZ)
Counselling
What is counselling?
Counselling is a talking therapy that involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues.
Our team of counsellors have been trained to work with people who have experienced sexual violence and sexual abuse. They are registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP), and receive regular supervision and training.
They will help you gain a better understanding of your feelings and thought processes. They will not give advice, or tell you what to do. They are here to listen and support you without judging or criticising.
Accessing Hope House SARC counselling
We offer free specialist counselling to recent victims and survivors of sexual violence, aged 18 and over. We also offer pre- and post-trial counselling for individuals aged 14 and above, who are involved in criminal justice proceedings relating to a rape or sexual assault.
Once referred you will be invited to attend an initial assessment appointment. During this appointment your counsellor will discuss your needs and explore with you the ways in which our counselling service can help. If you are unsure about counselling, our assessment is a good place to consider this further.
If both you and your counsellor decide that our service is appropriate and will help in your recovery, you will be offered six counselling sessions. Each session lasts 50 minutes and can be delivered in person, over the phone or online. The same counsellor will see you each week
To find out more about our counselling service, and how you can refer, call 0300 421 8400. We accept both self- referrals and professional referrals.
What is pre-trial therapy and how is it different?
Pre-trial therapy is any type of therapy that is accessed when a report has been made to the police, a criminal investigation is underway and before the case has gone to trial.
The choice to enter therapy before, after or during the criminal justice process is yours – this decision should not be made by the police or Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Your wellbeing is the most important factor when choosing the right time to access services. Your treatment should not be delayed because of the ongoing criminal justice process. Accessing therapy pre-trial can be helpful in supporting you emotionally with what has happened, and the impact of the criminal justice process itself.
When a criminal case is under way, therapy and specialist support services are required to work within CPS guidelines, which you can read here: www.cps.gov.uk/legal[1]guidance/pre-trial-therapy As part of the criminal justice process, the police or CPS may, in limited situations, seek access to the notes we keep about your sessions.
It is okay if you want to talk about the incident under investigation. It’s important for you to know that new information about that allegation may need to be shared with the police if we receive a notes request, or if there is a concern that you or someone else is at risk of harm.
To find out more about pre-trial counselling, call 0300 421 8400.
Confidentiality
What you decide to talk to your counsellor about is confidential. Your information will not be automatically shared with anyone else. However, there may be occasions when the disclosure of confidential information is appropriate and necessary. This includes if you disclose that someone is at risk of harm. In these circumstances advice will be sought from the service lead before any disclosure takes place and you will be informed of the disclosure.
If you have reported the assault to the police they may request your counselling notes. The police will not have access to all of your counselling notes, only very specific pieces of information related to the disclosure, or incident, under investigation.
If the police ask us for access to your notes, we will always ask you first, whether you want them to be shared. We will also offer to go through the notes with you.
“I genuinely wouldn’t know where I would be without the help I received from my counsellor. She was amazing and incredibly supportive.”
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that has not already been answered, please do not hesitate to give us a call.
What is consent?
Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity.
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 states that someone consents to vaginal, anal or oral penetration only if they agree by choice, and have the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
Capacity means being able to make your own decisions and communicate them. It means that if someone is asleep, unconscious, under the influence of drugs or too drunk, then they don’t have the capacity to agree to sex. People with learning disabilities or severe mental health problems might also not have the capacity to agree to sex.
Freedom to make that choice means that the person agreeing to sex isn’t agreeing because they feel scared, threatened or under pressure to agree. For example a victim of domestic violence, or someone significantly younger or too young to understand what they are consenting to.
Consent can be withdrawn at any time during sexual activity. Consent is specific to each time activity occurs. Agreeing to sex yesterday does not mean that they agree to sex today.
What is rape and sexual assault?
Rape is when a person intentionally uses their penis to penetrate another person’s body without their consent. It could be penetration of a vagina, anus or mouth with a penis and could happen to a man, a woman or a child. It takes place without their consent.
Sexual assault is “an act of physical, psychological and emotional violation in the form of a sexual act, inflicted on someone without their consent”. It can also involve forcing or manipulating someone to watch or take part in any sexual acts.
Sexual assault also includes ‘assault by penetration’. This is when someone penetrates another person’s vagina or anus with anything except a penis (penetration with a penis is rape) without their consent. This could include any part of the body or an object.
Not all sexual assault involves violence or injury and quite often victims of sexual assault will have no visible marks.
Do I have to be referred to Hope House SARC?
No, you can refer yourself to Hope House SARC.
You can call our 24 hour advice line 0300 421 8400 and speak directly to a specially trained Crisis Worker. You can also email us at hopehouse.sarc@ghc.nhs.uk
A Crisis Worker will be able to offer you advice over the phone, and can arrange a face to face appointment if required.
Do you support men?
Yes.
We support anyone, regardless of age, sexuality or gender. You will be believed and treated with dignity and respect. At Hope House SARC we have both female and male Crisis Workers.
Do I need to arrange an appointment?
Is your service confidential?
Yes, however if you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, we have an obligation to inform other agencies. Where possible we will seek your permission to share your information.
If you have reported the assault to the Police, they may request your counselling notes. Your counsellor will discuss this with you at your first appointment and your notes will only be shared with your written consent.
If you are under 18 years of age we also work in partnership with the Centre of Paediatric Excellence, located at the Bristol SARC. This is in order to ensure that you receive the best possible care. We also have a legal duty to share your information with social services.
Do I need to report what has happened to me, to the Police?
No, you do not have to report the incident to the police. You are in control and we will respect your decision.
If something has happened to you less than 10 days ago, you can visit us, without Police involvement, for a Forensic Medical Examination. We can store your samples here, at Hope House SARC, for two years; giving you time to decide.
Can I give information to the Police anonymously?
Yes.
If you do not feel able to speak to the police about what has happened to you, it is possible to give them information anonymously. A Crisis Worker will support you to complete a form, that will provide the Police with information about the assault, without sharing your personal details.
Sometimes the police will call us, after receiving this kind of information, and ask us to contact you to see if you would be willing to speak to them informally. We will never pressure you into this.
I wasn't injured so will I be taken seriously?
Yes.
We know that rape and sexual assault rarely result in physical injuries.
It is a different kind of violence that is committed against you. The police also know this. When you call Hope House SARC we will believe you and support you.
Can I get emergency contraception?
Yes.
You can call us on 0300 421 8400 for advice if you are worried about becoming pregnant after being raped or sexually assaulted.
We can arrange for you to meet a Forensic Doctor or Nurse, who can assess your medical needs and prescribe Emergency Contraception.
Emergency Contraception works best if it is taken as soon as possible. You can find our more by visiting Hope House Sexual Health Clinic.
What other practical and emotional support is available to me?
As well as offering immediate advice and support, our Crisis Workers can support you with the following:
- Address any sexual health needs by referring you to our Sexual Health services.
- Discuss support options, including counselling.
As well as this, if you have reported to the Police, we will offer to arrange support from an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor. They will advocate for you while your case is investigated and make sure that you receive regular updates from the police. They will also make sure that you are well supported if your case goes to court.
An Independent Sexual Violence Advisor can also help with practical things. They might contact an employer on your behalf, help you to arrange meetings to sort out benefits or housing; or simply be someone to call if something related to your experience is worrying you.
To find out more about the ISVA service, contact the Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC) directly on 01452 305421.
Can I still contact Hope House SARC if I was raped years ago?
Yes.
Our 24 hour advice line is available to anyone, regardless of when the assault occurred.
About us
Important information about our service.
Confidentiality
Confidentially in sexual health clinics is covered by law, which is why we also ask younger people some extra questions.
What you tell us is only accessible within our service and your identity is given a special individual number linked to your date of birth. This means that even those who work on your tests at the laboratory will not know who you are.
Our confidentiality covers everyone who comes to our clinics regardless of age, sex, cultural background or sexual orientation.
Everyone has the right to confidentiality, although we have a duty to talk to another professional if we are concerned about someone who is at risk of harm from another person, or from themselves.
If you are under 18 we will ask you some extra questions to show we have checked you understand why you have come and what that will involve, and that you are not at risk from any harm.
If for any reason we feel we need to talk to a professional, outside of our service, we will normally ask your permission and it will be discussed with you first. It is very unusual to do this without someone’s permission.
More information about our general privacy policy and your rights can be found here.
Having an interpreter
If English is not your first language we can arrange for someone to interpret the consultation for you.
- If you are attending a pre-booked appointment we can arrange to have an interpreter present, either on the telephone or in person with you. Please ask for this when booking your appointment.
- If you have to cancel or change an appointment please let us know as soon as possible. This will enable us to cancel the interpreter and avoid the service being charged a fee.
- If you are deaf or hard of hearing and need a BSL interpreter, please inform us of this when booking your appointment, or as soon as you know you need to attend one of our services. This advanced notice will enable us to arrange the support you need.
People we have helped
“All staff were so reassuring and understanding, from the moment I walked through the door.”
“I was greeted by a friendly lady who welcomed me in and made me feel really comfortable.
She asked me what I wanted to do, instead of telling me what I should do.”
“I can’t thank you enough for being on my side and getting me some help. You’ve been beyond amazing and it means the world to me. I definitely felt better after talking to you for the first time.”
“The overall experience was as comfortable as it could be under the circumstances
and I felt really cared for.”
“Thank you for all that you have done. I felt safe and cared for.”
Join our Steering Group
We recognise the importance of engaging with both male and female survivors; to seek advice about service design, delivery and improvements. We have a steering panel of survivors and professionals, that meet regularly, to consult us and contribute in the design and development of our service.
We welcome new members and so, if you are interested in joining, contact us on 0300 421 8400, or email us: hopehouse.sarc@ghc.nhs.uk
Volunteer for us
We are keen to raise awareness of our services and the different options available to people who have experienced sexual violence and sexual abuse.
We are always on the look out for enthusiastic Engagement Volunteers, who can help us raise awareness; for example by attending University Freshers’ Fayres, Community events and distributing posters.
If you would like more information, about how you can help us make a difference, please contact us on 0300 421 8400, or email us: hopehouse.sarc@ghc.nhs.uk
Feedback
Your views and suggestions are important – they help us to improve the services we provide. We would like you to tell us about your experiences, so we can continue to make life better for people who use our services.
If you would like to provide feedback you can do so via the button below, by completing our feedback survey, or contacting our Patient and Carer Experience Team.
Feedback survey
We also have a feedback survey specifically for our Sexual Health Services. Listening to your views helps us to identify what is working well and what can be improved. If you have visited us we may send you a text message to our survey.
You can also access the survey here.
Patient and Carer Experience Team
You can also contact our Patient and Carer Experience Team, who deal with all comments, concerns, complaints and compliments into the Trust. The team also incorporates the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
Whether you have a compliment, comment, concern or complaint, we are here to help you. Everyone likes to receive praise and we hope you will tell us when you receive a good service from us. We always make sure these comments are passed on to the members of staff who are praised and to the Trust Board.
We understand that raising a concern can be difficult, but if you are unhappy about any aspect of the service please talk to us. We are committed to resolving all concerns we receive. If your issues remain unresolved, or you would like to make a formal complaint, we can advise you on the complaints process and provide information on how to seek independent advice.
You can contact the patient experience team here.
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