Watsons Residential

Watsons Residential & Broxtowe Women’s Project: Working Together for Safer Communities

A local partnership that could make a real difference

Broxtowe Women’s Project is proud to be working in partnership with Watsons Residential, helping their team to recognise the signs of domestic abuse and understand how to respond safely and appropriately when they have concerns about someone they meet.

Watsons Residential is a family-run, independent estate agency with offices in Kimberley and Eastwood, putting its team right at the heart of the communities BWP supports.

Moving home is often associated with an exciting new chapter. But sometimes there is much more happening behind closed doors.

For someone experiencing domestic abuse, selling a property, looking for somewhere new to live or needing to move unexpectedly can form part of a much more difficult and potentially dangerous situation.

That’s why this partnership matters.

Why estate agents can make a difference

Estate agents meet people at incredibly important moments in their lives.

Through valuations, viewings, property appointments and conversations with clients, they may notice changes in behaviour or circumstances that wouldn’t necessarily be visible to others.

There may be no obvious disclosure of domestic abuse. Instead, it could be something that simply doesn’t feel quite right.

One partner might control the conversation or refuse to leave the other person alone. Someone may appear unusually anxious, withdrawn or fearful. There could be an unexplained urgency around moving home, or indications that somebody doesn’t have control over their own finances.

None of these things automatically means someone is experiencing domestic abuse, and it isn’t the role of an estate agent to investigate.

It is about noticing, responding and knowing where someone can find specialist support.

Giving the Watsons Residential team the confidence to recognise and respond

As part of our partnership, Broxtowe Women’s Project is providing specialist domestic abuse awareness training to the Watsons Residential team.

The training helps staff to:

> Recognise some of the signs that could indicate a client is experiencing domestic abuse.
> Respond sensitively and safely if somebody discloses abuse or they have concerns.
> Listen without judgement and provide reassurance rather than putting pressure on someone to talk.
> Understand why they should never confront a suspected abuser or take action that could unintentionally increase someone’s risk.
> Signpost people towards Broxtowe Women’s Project and other appropriate specialist services.
> Understand how small, thoughtful actions can help create an environment where someone feels safer asking for help.

The team isn’t being asked to become domestic abuse experts.

They’re being given the knowledge and confidence to recognise when somebody might need support, and to know what they can safely do next.

Keeping an eye out in our community

Watsons Residential has been part of the local property community since opening its Kimberley office in 2017, later expanding with an office in Eastwood.

Its team spends every day speaking to local homeowners, buyers and people navigating changes in their housing circumstances.

By bringing domestic abuse awareness into these everyday interactions, we are creating another opportunity for someone who needs help to be noticed and connected with specialist support.

Sometimes, it may be as simple as making BWP’s details available discreetly.

Sometimes, it could be recognising that someone needs the opportunity to speak without their partner present.

Sometimes, it could be knowing the right thing to say when somebody shares what is happening at home.

A small action or conversation could make a significant difference.

Making support more visible

Our partnership isn’t just about training.

Watsons Residential will also help increase the visibility of Broxtowe Women’s Project and the support available within our local community.

BWP information and contact details can be made accessible through their offices, helping more people learn that confidential specialist support is available locally.

By talking openly about domestic abuse and supporting awareness campaigns, businesses such as Watsons Residential can also help challenge the idea that domestic abuse is something that should remain behind closed doors.

Together, we can help make homes safer