On International Human Rights Day, Gloucester City Homes Awarded DAHA Gold Accreditation for Excellence in Protecting Survivors' Rights
On a day dedicated to defending human rights around the world, Gloucester City Homes (GCH) has achieved the Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance (DAHA) Gold Accreditation – one of the highest award in the UK for excellence in domestic abuse practice within housing.
This recognition places GCH among a small number of housing providers nationally who have demonstrated sector-leading, whole-organisation commitment to ensuring that every resident’s right to safety, dignity, secure housing and freedom from violence is upheld in practice, not just in policy.
DAHA Gold Accreditation is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous quality standards in the UK housing sector, requiring strong evidence of survivor-led practice, trauma-informed responses, anti-racist and intersectional approaches, accountable perpetrator management, robust data systems, and lasting organisational culture change.
Announcing this accreditation on International Human Rights Day highlights the national significance of GCH’s achievement: a clear statement that safe housing is a human right, and that domestic abuse must be recognised as a human rights issue.
Attendees at the first in-person meeting of the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Housing Champions Network marked this achievement as they were welcomed by Nick Gazzard, Founder of The Hollie Gazzard Trust, and Caroline Lucas-Mouat, Domestic Abuse Programme Manager at Gloucestershire Housing Partnership. The programme featured contributions from key partners across the region, including Louise Artus, GDASS Safe Accommodation Leader; Jessica Waghorn, GDASS Housing IDVA; Sharne Maher, Chief Executive Officer at Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre; Emma Cashin, DAHA South West Regional Leader; and Jane Harvey, Chief Executive Officer at the Hollie Gazzard Trust. Their insights highlighted the strength of Gloucestershire’s coordinated community response and the collective commitment to improving safety and outcomes for survivors.
A Culture of Trust and Safety Rooted in Community
GCH’s CEO, Guy Stenson, reflected on the organisation’s deep roots in the city and its surrounding communities. He emphasised that in smaller towns and close-knit areas, “word spreads quickly” - making it critical that residents know they will be believed, supported and treated with dignity when they disclose abuse. DAHA assessors found this ethos embedded throughout GCH, visible at every level of the organisation.
Staff consistently spoke about domestic abuse as a priority, not an additional task. They highlighted how essential it is to look at the whole picture - the safety of children, school continuity, community support, risk, and long-term stability. Focus groups noted how partnership working has strengthened dramatically since beginning the DAHA journey, particularly around information sharing, referrals and coordinated responses.
One officer summarised their approach simply:
“You do have a choice; you don’t have to stay somewhere unsafe - and I will advocate for you.”
Exceptional Partnership Working and Community Response
External partners provided powerful endorsements:
GDASS reported that GCH has become one of their largest referring housing providers, a significant shift compared to previous years.
The Gloucester City Council Domestic Abuse Housing Coordinator praised the diversity of GCH’s steering group and noted that staff “really try to unpick the complexities and dynamics” of every case.
Nelson Trust offered detailed examples of GCH officers “going above and beyond” to reduce risk, attend appointments, resolve tenancy issues and provide trauma-informed support in some of the most complex cases they have worked on.
Staff also spoke about working closely with communities, PCSOs, help groups, schools, and local charities. As one officer shared:
“We come together in that moment of crisis to provide wraparound support.”
Staff Wellbeing and Organisational Culture
DAHA assessors highlighted GCH’s commitment to staff wellbeing, including:
Domestic Abuse Leave to allow colleagues to attend court, make arrangements, or seek support
Short-term financial support for colleagues at risk of economic hardship due to changes in their domestic situation
Eight trained Domestic Abuse Champions, making up nearly half of the county-wide Champions Network
These measures demonstrate that safety and support extend not only to residents but to staff across the organisation.
Trauma-Informed, Survivor-Led Practice in Action
Two case studies that really stood out during the assessment:
Tenancy Transfer: A Landmark Decision: After the perpetrator’s arrest, the survivor’s neighbours submitted a petition expressing their strong wish for her to remain in her home. GCH supported her to obtain a Tenancy Transfer Order - the first in the organisation’s history — recognising the importance of community support and continuity. Target hardening was promptly completed, and GCH provided advice to both parties while working closely with Nelson Trust to ensure ongoing safety.
Case: Compassion Beyond the Basics - In this highly complex case, GCH demonstrated exceptional partnership working, trauma-informed support and a deep understanding of the survivor’s needs.
When the survivor’s injuries prevented her from eating properly - and because she was vegan - staff recognised that a standard food bank referral would not help. They coordinated, on the same day, a gift voucher and a blender through the Redwell Centre. They liaised with Nelson Trust, police, MARAC and multiple agencies to maintain safety planning, arrange target hardening and support a housing move. This case exemplified DAHA’s Gold principles: holistic practice, survivor-led responses and cross-agency collaboration.
Quote: Emma Storey, Executive Director of Housing, Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse
“Achieving DAHA Gold Accreditation is a huge achievement and speaks volumes about Gloucester City Homes’ commitment to safety, dignity, and human rights. This shows what is possible when a housing provider truly listens to survivors, challenges harmful systems, and invests in its people. GCH has built a culture where everyone understands the vital role that housing plays in preventing harm and helping people rebuild their lives. We are incredibly proud to recognise GCH as a DAHA Gold organisation on International Human Rights Day.”
Domestic abuse is a violation of fundamental human rights, and safe, secure housing is one of the most powerful ways to protect and uphold those rights.
GCH’s DAHA Gold Accreditation demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to creating communities where survivors are believed, supported and safe and where housing providers lead the way in preventing harm.
This achievement marks not just a milestone, but a promise: to continue embedding best practice, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that safety, dignity and human rights remain at the centre of everything GCH does.