Opening Domestic Violence Shelters in the UK

Help Build Dope Soul Village – Safe Shelters for Women & Children

Hello, I’m Sam, founder of Dope Soul Village (DSV) – a project born from the urgent need to create safe, fully supported shelters for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

I’ve been through the system myself and seen its many failings. In the past, I helped raise nearly £12,000 for another Community Interest Company (CIC), but the toxic culture within that organisation made it clear that I needed to build something better – something rooted in honesty, compassion, and action. That’s why I set up Finally Free CIC: to make donations transparent and to be able to apply for government funding and grants. Once the CIC is fully registered with Companies House, I’ll be dedicating my time to writing funding bids and grant applications to bring these shelters to life.

Our safe houses will be known as The Villages, with each one named in honour of a domestic abuse victim - ensuring that their story is never forgotten and their legacy is one of safety and change. These won’t be temporary shelters with time limits; they will be real homes, offering safety, support, and community for as long as women, their children, and their pets need it.

Why do I need your help? Because the traditional system keeps letting women down. Council funding is unreliable, charities are stretched thin, and too many organisations are caught up in red tape instead of real solutions. I’m building something different: a grassroots movement that puts women first, runs with transparency, and delivers real, lasting change.

The costs are significant – legal fees, property, staff, security, furnishings, and essentials for families all add up. But with your help, this vision can become reality.

How you can support the mission:

Donate whatever you can – every single pound makes a difference.

Volunteer your skills – from social media and PR to bookkeeping and legal support.

Partner or invest – if you believe in this mission and want to help build a legacy, let’s talk.

Shop the mission – every purchase from [Dope Soul Village](https://www.dopesoulvillage.com) directly supports the shelters and services I’m building.

This isn’t just another charity project. It’s a movement built on lived experience, resilience, and the belief that survival should never come with an expiry date.

Let’s build safe spaces where women and children can heal, rebuild, and thrive - together.

Thank you for standing with me.

With love, grit, and zero apologies,

Sam

Founder | Dope Soul Village

Founder | Finally Free CIC