Creating a home that feels safe and empowering is an important step on your journey to healing.
Whether you are in the process of leaving an unsafe situation or working to rebuild your space after experiencing domestic abuse, there are practical steps you can take.
Doing this will help you make a space that nurtures your strength, independence and well‐being. Let’s look at some ideas.
Start with Small Changes
Sometimes the idea of transforming your space can feel overwhelming. Begin with small, manageable changes. This might mean rearranging a room by changing where the sofa is, or adding a favourite picture, or finding a cosy blanket you can snuggle under when watching your favourite boxset. Personalising your space with things that make you feel happy and secure is a powerful first step towards reclaiming your space.
Set Clear Boundaries
Your home should reflect your needs and respect your boundaries. Establish areas where you can retreat to find peace—perhaps a small meditation space with candles, or a chair in the garden where you can be alone with your thoughts. Carving out this ‘me time’ is a valuable step to take. Over time, doing this helps reinforce that your feelings and needs matter. And they do. Whatever anyone else has told you. Your feelings and needs matter.
Develop a Safety Plan
If you’re still in an environment where abuse occurs, creating a safety plan is crucial. You can read about this here. Keep a list of emergency contacts in a secure, accessible place. Identify a safe room in your home where you can retreat if needed, and have a packed bag with essentials—important documents, a change of clothes, money and any medications. You can read more about this here which will help you get prepared.
At Juno, we are here to support you in developing your safety plan so that every step you take has in mind your security. You can email or call our helpline for more details anytime of the day or night. We are open 24/7 every single day of the year. For quick reference, the helpline number is: 0808 800 0340. There are more contact details at the bottom of this article.
Personalise Your Space
Your home should be a space that reflects who you are. Choose colours, decorations and layouts that evoke calm and positivity. Consider the role of natural light, plants or soothing music to enhance the atmosphere. Even small touches, such as lighting a favourite scented candle or displaying a cherished photograph, can make your space feel more comforting and uniquely yours.
Utilise Community Resources
Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. Local support groups, charities and counselling services can provide additional ideas and resources for creating a safe environment. Juno offers workshops and one-to-one support to help you integrate practical safety measures into your daily life while also nurturing your emotional well‐being. Feel free to ask us about this.
Embrace Technology for Security
Modern technology offers many tools to help you feel safer. Consider installing a home security system and using smart lighting or cameras that let you monitor your surroundings discreetly. Always ensure that any devices or applications you use are password‐protected and that you know how to adjust their privacy settings. You can ask the helpline for more help in this or read some of our other guides. Perhaps begin here, which is Part 1 of a 3 part tech series.
Practice Self‐Care in Your Space
Your home is also the place where you can prioritise self‐care. Develop routines that help you feel empowered—whether it’s a daily meditation practice, journalling or simply taking time to enjoy a hobby. Over time, these practices contribute to a feeling of ownership and control over your life. Each small act of self‐care is an important reminder that you deserve a peaceful, nurturing environment. Yes, you really do.
Redefine “Home” on Your Own Terms
It’s natural to have memories of past environments that remind you of times when you felt unsafe or unappreciated. However, creating a new sense of home is a journey of redefining what safety and happiness mean for you. Look forward rather than backward. Celebrate every small victory, every new decoration that makes you smile, every quiet moment of peace.
At Juno, we believe that every step you take in personalising your space is a powerful act of reclaiming your power and building a better future.
Remember, You Deserve Safety and Happiness.
Look for Progress, not Perfection
Every effort you make to create a safe and empowering home is a testament to your strength. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.
With every new boundary you set and every little adjustment you make, you are asserting your right to a safe space where you can thrive.
Final Thoughts
Your journey towards a safe and empowering home is one of many steps towards a brighter future. Celebrate your progress and remember that you are not alone. You deserve a space that nurtures your spirit and, with patience, support and determination, you can create a home that truly reflects the empowered, beautiful person you are.
How We Can Help
If you ever feel overwhelmed or uncertain about your next steps, please do call or email our helpline. Our friendly and trustworthy team, made up of understanding women (many of whom are survivors themselves), is here to listen without any judgement.
Everything you share remains completely confidential, and there’s no pressure. We’re here because we truly want to help, and we believe you deserve a safe space to start your journey towards a better future. You can read more about our helpline and hear from the workers in this article: Recognising the lifeline that saves lives.
Juno Help
Calls to our helpline are free from landlines and mobile phones within the UK and do not appear on itemised bills. There is no pressure and everything is confidential.
Helpline: 0808 800 0340
Sometimes our helpline is busy and you might not get through the first time, so please try again. We will always call you back if you leave a message stating it is safe to do so and if you leave us a safe contact number in your message.
If you are hearing impaired, text “Relay/NGT” to 18001 0808 800 0340. This option is available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
You can also email us on [email protected] 9 am – 9 pm.
Please note, we may not be able to respond to emails straight away, but will try to reply within 24 hours.
National Help
If you’re further afield, you could contact other charities like Women’s Aid, who have instant messaging and email contact on their website: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) also provide confidential support. They can help you make a safety plan, find safe housing, and access legal protections.
The deaf health charity Signhealth also runs a domestic abuse support service, DeafHope, using British Sign Language (BSL).
The Survivor’s Trust (for sexual abuse and assault support) – www.thesurvivorstrust.org