A secret hub has been launched to provide a safe haven for women and children recovering from domestic abuse.

Serenity Café, which is based in Tunbridge Wells, was set up after £5,000 was raised on the crowd-funding platform Spacehive.

Serenity Cafe, Tunbridge Wells has its grand opening

As well as serving up coffee, tea and cake, it will provide a slice of normality for women leaving abusive relationships and also be a place where survivors can share their stories and a safe space for their children to play.

Led by charity, Look Ahead, and with backing from organisations including Kent County Council (KCC) and Belvoir Tunbridge Wells, the service will help women rebuild their lives with job coaching and financial and housing advice.

The charity specialises in providing services for young people, the homeless and people with mental health issues and learning disabilities.

Rebecca Swaine, service manager, said: "Look Ahead identified that after the pandemic a lot of survivors of domestic abuse might have been isolated at home, (and) we felt the need for a social and safe space where people can come and meet."

Rebecca leads a team of IDVSAs (Independent Domestic Abuse Advisors) who receive hundreds of referrals for women living in the west Kent area every year.

Yvette Hazelden, Look Ahead’s strategic domestic abuse lead in Kent, said: “When women leave an abusive relationship, they can feel lonely and isolated.

"The abuse they’ve experienced often leaves them with physical and mental scars that take time to heal.

"As their confidence is shattered, it is harder to begin new friendships.

“The café will be such a healing place because women can speak to others who have been in the same situation.

“Women who have experienced domestic abuse have been through a living hell - but their future is full of great possibilities.

"Sometimes it is hard to see this, so a supportive environment, such as the Serenity Cafe, is a place where women can start to rebuild their lives.”

The charity will also provide wellbeing activities including yoga, belly dancing and healthy eating sessions and play sessions for children.

This will coincide with an on-hand domestic abuse expert to provide support where needed.

One survivor, Sadie, whose name had been changed for her and children's safety, described her tumultuous experience during a 10-year relationship.

She said: "I was in a relationship which touched upon every aspect of domestic abuse, when one tactic didn't work, or didn't get the desired effect, he would move to another tactic.

"I went to a playgroup with my son, and started to recognise that the women around me were not looking how I looked or feeling how I felt. They were really happy and being really attentive mothers.

"I felt myself being quite distant, a difference in myself."

Sadie described the rollercoaster of emotions she felt during the relationship, adding: "I lost myself in the process, from shame, guilt, embarrassment to anger and frustration, to confusion to trying to work out who I was."

She explained she gained the courage to leave the relationship after a risk assessment was done which showed the extent of the abuse.

Today, Sadie helps others as an IDVSA. She said: "I empower women, I look to support people to empower themselves, to rebuild their lives and to take back control."

She said: "We're pretty much here for everybody and you know, we aren't able to directly support (everyone but) we will find an agency that will."

Look Ahead also provides emergency overnight accommodation for people in danger, and security measures such as window locks and bars for people who would like to stay in their homes."

To attend the cafe, call 0333 010 4600 or for more on the charity click here.