Virgin Money is offering vital safe spaces across 42 of its branches to provide crucial support for individuals affected by domestic abuse.
This expansion significantly bolsters the existing network, bringing the total number of such confidential areas across Nationwide Building Society’s branch network to 475.
These designated safe spaces offer a private sanctuary where those experiencing domestic abuse can access support, make confidential calls to specialist charities, and find temporary refuge from their abuser.
Complementing this, Nationwide is championing domestic abuse charity Hestia’s “Support Is A Team Sport” campaign during the World Cup.
The campaign encourages the public to recognise the signs of abuse and utilise the Bright Sky app, which offers advice, access to local and national support services, and helps users locate their nearest safe space within Virgin Money or Nationwide branches, alongside guidance on how to safely assist others.
Customers can also locate their nearest Nationwide safe space using Nationwide’s branch finder.
Nationwide said it offers a package of support for those experiencing abuse, including a partnership with domestic abuse charity Refuge, providing specialist advice and emergency help.
People can also access Shout, a free confidential mental health text service.
For those experiencing financial and economic abuse, Nationwide has also introduced an in-app payment reference blocking feature, enabling victim-survivors to block abusers’ threatening or coercive messages accompanying bank transfers.
Mandy Beech, director of retail services at Nationwide, said: “We urge anyone experiencing abuse to reach out – our in-branch safe spaces are here to support you.
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“We know that a bank or building society might not be the most obvious or conventional place to turn in a moment of crisis, but through our charity partners and the tools we have built, there are real, practical things we can do to help people get the support they need.
“Colleagues across more than 600 branches have participated in our domestic abuse awareness training because no one should face this alone.”
Sue Harper, deputy director, domestic abuse and sexual violence prevention at Hestia, said: “While football does not cause abuse, we know that existing abusive behaviour often intensifies on match days.
“Heightened emotions and increased alcohol consumption can escalate harm, leaving victim-survivors dreading match days and feeling unsafe in their own homes.
“This summer, we all have a role to play. We can help people feel less alone and ensure they get the support they need.”
Other financial services providers also provide support to people experiencing domestic abuse.
TSB, for example, also offers safe spaces, as well as a flee fund, giving domestic abuse victims up to £500 to pay for essentials to help them to leave an abusive relationship.
Economic abuse often accompanies other forms of domestic abuse, as part of a wider pattern of exercising control over another person.
Warning signs include someone having power and control over the other person’s finances; preventing the person from working or accessing their own salary; or spending the other person’s money or taking out loans in their name without the other person’s knowledge or consent.
Here are the locations of the Virgin Money branches with a safe space:
Bailleston
Bolton
Clydebank
Cramlington
Darlington
Doncaster
Dumfries
Dunfermline
Eston
Falkirk
Glasgow, Hillhead
Greenock
Hamilton
Harrogate
Hartlepool
Inverurie
Keith
Kilmarnock
Kirkintilloch
Kirkwall
Leeds City
Leeds, Moortown
Leeds, Hunslet
Mansfield
Montrose
Motherwell
Oldham
Paisley
Perth
Preston
Pudsey
Rutherglen
Scunthorpe
Stornoway
Sheffield, Hillsborough
Sheffield, Woodseats
Shipley
Stockport
Sunderland
Thornaby
Tobermory
Washington