Vote for Lighthouse Women's Aid in Our April 2026 Charity Poll

This April, we’ve got four new charities in the mix for our monthly poll, and one that we want to talk about today is Lighthouse Women’s Aid. This incredible charity supports women, children, and young people experiencing domestic abuse, by offering safe accommodation alongside practical advice and ongoing support. It’s the kind of work that often happens quietly, but it makes a huge difference to those who need it most.

They’re based in Suffolk and are taking part in our April 2026 charity poll. You can cast your free vote for them this month and help them a step closer to receiving a donation of 20% of our profits! Which, in situations like this, can have a real impact — not just in theory, but in the day to day running of this amazing organisation.

We wanted to share a bit more about what they do and why they’re part of this month’s poll… and how a quick, free vote from you could help support survivors this April.

Who Are Lighthouse Women’s Aid?

Lighthouse Women’s Aid are a registered charity based in Ipswich, Suffolk, and they support people who are experiencing, or have experienced, domestic abuse. That in itself is huge. But it’s more than just “support” - it’s real, practical help at a time when someone might feel completely stuck, or unsure what to do next.

For years now, they’ve been helping women and children rebuild their lives through their women’s centre and refuge. And when I say rebuild, I mean that properly… not just short-term fixes, but helping people find a way forward. Their aim sounds simple when you read it - helping people move on and live free from abuse - but in reality, it’s anything but simple. It takes time, trust, and a lot of patience.

One thing that really stood out to me when I came across this amazing charity, is how they approach everything. There’s no pressure, no judgement. They don’t tell people what they should do or rush them into decisions, but they help them in ways which value their autonomy whilst providing the resources they need. And I think that matters more than we sometimes realise. When someone’s in that kind of situation, the last thing they need is to feel pushed.

Everything they offer is completely free and confidential too, which might sound like a small detail, but it isn’t. For someone who feels isolated or even scared to reach out, knowing they can do that safely, without being judged or exposed, can be the difference between speaking up or staying silent.

And I keep coming back to this, because it stuck with me… more than anything, they want people to know they’re not alone. It sounds simple, but it’s powerful.

In terms of what they actually run day to day, it’s mainly two core services that they provide: their Women’s Centre and their Refuge. Both are essential and are constantly in demand. And if I’m being completely honest, like a lot of charities right now, they’re underfunded and relying heavily on support, from people like us, to keep going.

That’s a big part of why we wanted them in this month’s poll.

The Women’s Centre

Their Women’s Centre is based right in central Ipswich, and the team at Lighthouse Women’s Aid describe it as a “one-stop-shop”… which feels pretty accurate once you look at everything they offer.

When someone reaches out for the first time, they’re offered an Advice Appointment. This advice appointment acts as a safe, private space to talk, whether something is happening right now, or it’s something from the past that’s still affecting them. If someone is currently in danger, the team might carry out a risk assessment to understand what that person needs, and make sure the support matches that.

After those first conversations, there’s a whole range of support available. And honestly, this is the bit that stayed with me. They run programmes like the Freedom Programme — which is quite well-known — along with Power to Change and The Voice. These aren’t just sessions you attend and forget about… they help people understand what’s happened to them, and why. That’s a big step.

There’s also support around things like child contact, which must be incredibly stressful for people trying to navigate co-parenting after abuse. It’s not something people always think about, but it comes up a lot, and is an essential aspect of the support they offer.

They can also point people towards legal advice (free, even if it’s just a short session), and help with housing or financial support. They provide both practical help and emotional support, providing a holistic service to people in need.

Lastly, they organise the incredible “Empower Me” coffee mornings. They’re informal, nothing structured, just a space where people can sit, talk, have a cup of tea… and not feel alone. It sounds simple. But actually, after everything someone’s been through, that kind of normality can mean a lot. More than we probably realise.

The Refuge

For women and children who need to leave immediately, Lighthouse offers a safe, secure place to stay in the form of The Refuge. It’s women-only, and each resident has their own bedroom, with shared spaces like a living room and a playroom for children.

And I know charities often say this, but it really does sound like they’ve tried to make it feel like a home — not just somewhere temporary. That distinction matters.

While someone is staying there, they’re not left to figure everything out alone (which, let’s be honest, would be overwhelming). Staff help with all those next steps - housing applications, benefits, debt advice, medical support… all the things that can pile up at once.

There’s also a dedicated children’s team, which I think is incredibly important. For kids, this kind of upheaval can be confusing and frightening, and having people there specifically to support them makes a huge difference.

And when it’s time to move on, the support doesn’t just stop. Lighthouse helps women transition into independent living.

Where Would the Donation Go?

If Lighthouse Women’s Aid wins our April poll, they’ll receive 20% of our profits for the month.

And speaking from our side - when we choose charities, we always think about how that money might actually be used. Not in a vague way, but practically.

For Lighthouse, it could help keep the refuge running, fund those programmes at the Women’s Centre, support the children’s services… or even just cover the everyday operational costs that people don’t always think about. Staffing, training, resources — all the behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps everything going.

I’ll be honest, charities like this are under a lot of pressure right now. Funding isn’t always guaranteed, and the demand for their services is always high.

So while a vote might feel small (it’s literally just a couple of clicks), it feeds into something that can genuinely help keep these services available.

How Else You Can Support

Of course, voting in our poll is the main thing this month — that’s why we’re here — but it’s not the only way to support them.

If you feel connected to what Lighthouse does, you could:

● Donate directly through their website

● Volunteer your time (if that’s something you can do)

● Take part in their fundraising events

● Or even get your workplace involved

And if you — or someone you know — ever needs support, they can be contacted on 01473 228 270. And in an emergency, always call 999.

How to Vote

If you’ve got ten seconds, you’ve got enough time:

1. Head over to our homepage: www.myfavouritevouchercodes.co.uk

2. Find the April 2026 charity poll (it’s on the right hand side or near the bottom of the page on mobile)

3. Look for Lighthouse Women’s Aid in the list

4. Click vote!

That’s it. No details needed, nothing to fill out.

The poll runs from 1st April to 30th April 2026, and we’ve made it as easy as possible to take part.

No sign-ups. No emails. No forms. Just 1 free vote.

Please Vote — And Maybe Share It Too!

The work that Lighthouse Women’s Aid does matters a lot, with domestic abuse impacting one in four women.

So I’d really encourage you to take those few seconds and vote. It costs nothing, but it could help fund services that genuinely change lives.

And if you can, share it as well! Send it to a friend, drop it in a group chat, mention it at work. It all adds up.

Let’s try and make this month count for Lighthouse Women’s Aid.