First People Housing (FPH) was founded in 2022 with a clear mission: to improve the standard of living for some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Drawing on a wealth of experience across housing and support services, FPH has built a strong reputation for providing temporary housing to individuals facing significant life challenges—including those experiencing homelessness, substance misuse, a history of offending, and domestic abuse.
What started with just 10 recovery beds has grown significantly. As of April 2025, FPH offers 86 supported beds across 16 properties, with five new houses recently secured. These will provide specialist support, including male refuge and detox services—an area often overlooked in traditional support models.
This growth reflects not only ambition but a deep commitment to addressing unmet needs. In that spirit, FPH is proud to announce the launch of The Empower Project.
A Safe Space for Male Survivors
The Empower Project is a two-year pilot programme dedicated to working with male victims of domestic abuse, an often underrepresented and underserved group. While domestic abuse is frequently framed as a women's issue, the data tells a more complex story. According to the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership (HDAP), an estimated 78,000 men in Hertfordshire alone will experience domestic abuse between 2022 and 2025—accounting for over 40% of all victims.
The Empower Project aims to address this disparity by creating safe, trauma-informed spaces for male survivors to begin their recovery journey. This includes supported housing, one-to-one counselling, and practical support—all delivered by a professional and empathetic team who understand the unique barriers male victims face in seeking help.
Working with Perpetrators to Break the Cycle
Alongside supporting survivors, The Empower Project will also engage with male perpetrators of domestic abuse through a psychologically informed, evidence-led approach. While this element of the project may raise eyebrows, FPH believes it is vital to tackle the root causes of abuse in order to prevent repeat offences and protect future victims.
By offering structured, accountable interventions, The Empower Project aims to reduce the risk of reoffending, limit harm to families, and increase long-term safety for survivors—especially children who may be affected by domestic abuse in the home.
Prevention Through Education
The Empower Project will also roll out educational outreach for young people, highlighting the warning signs and impact of intimate partner abuse. This early intervention work is designed to shift attitudes, promote healthy relationships, and reduce the normalisation of abusive behaviour among future generations.
A Tailored, Inclusive Approach
While the project is focused on male victims and male perpetrators, FPH recognises that domestic abuse affects people across the gender and sexuality spectrum. The Empower Project will also be responsive to the needs of female perpetrators, LGBTQ+ individuals, and anyone else who may not fit traditional service models.
The core principle is that everyone deserves safety, support, and the chance to change.
What Comes Next
Based on the HDAP's 2020 findings, key features of an effective domestic abuse service include 24/7 access, confidentiality, trauma-informed one-to-one support, and open drop-in availability. The Empower Project is built with all these principles at its core.
It’s still early days, and more details will be shared in the coming weeks. But FPH is excited to begin this important work and hopes that The Empower Project will become a blueprint for similar initiatives across the UK.