Harbour Partners with Digital Edge to Create a Lifeline of Online Support

The launch of Harbour’s new website is the result of a close collaboration between

Harbour, Digital Edge, and a private funder who we cannot thank enough for their

generosity and support. Together, this partnership has delivered a vital online

resource that will help people across the North East access the help and information

they need.

Harbour has been supporting individuals and families affected by domestic abuse for

over 50 years. The organisation’s origins date back to 1974, when a group of women

in Hartlepool came together to establish a refuge for women and children fleeing

violence and abuse. From that first refuge, Harbour has grown into a leading

organisation providing a wide range of services across the North East of England.

Although Harbour has evolved over the years, the driving belief has remained the

same; everyone has the right to live free from violence and abuse. All staff are fully

qualified to provide the very best help and support, with accreditations and training

being a constant focus. This ensures that every team member is ready and fully

equipped to support, guide, and safeguard those who turn to Harbour. Today, their

services cover County Durham, Tees Valley, Darlington, Northumberland, Newcastle

and North Tyneside. These include refuges and safe accommodation, outreach

support, dedicated services for children and young people, and programmes working

with those causing harm.

The website has become an increasingly important tool in delivering these services.

Harbour’s previous site, however, no longer met their needs. Information was difficult

to update, meaning important details could become out of date. Most critically,

visitors in need of urgent help could not always find the right support quickly. For

many people experiencing abuse, every second counts, they may only have a short

window of time to access information safely, and delays can mean the difference

between getting the help they need or being forced to leave the site without it.

Harbour recognised that speed, clarity, and ease of access had to be at the heart of

their new website.

To meet this challenge, Harbour turned to Digital Edge. As recognised Wix Masters,

the highest level of partnership with the platform, Digital Edge brings both deep

technical knowledge and creative expertise to every project. The team has helped

organisations from all over the world get the very best from Wix, making it the natural

choice for Harbour. Wix is a powerful, yet simple-to-use platform, giving Digital Edge

the tools to design websites that are not only visually engaging but also highly

functional and secure. Its flexibility meant that every one of Harbour’s requirements

could be met, from urgent safety features to the ability for staff to easily update

content at any time. Importantly, Harbour were able to access this world-class level

of Wix expertise right here in the North East, working with a trusted local agency that

understands both their needs and their community. Digital Edge designed and delivered a website that truly reflects Harbour’s mission and makes their services

more accessible than ever.

The result is a website that goes far beyond the basics. It now provides clear and

immediate access to vital information, with calls to action and signposting placed

exactly where visitors need them most. Referral forms and a donation page are built

into the site, supporting both those in urgent need and Harbour’s long-term

sustainability. Safety has been prioritised throughout, with advice on staying safe

online and a quick exit button built in for those visiting in dangerous circumstances.

Thanks to the combined capabilities of Digital Edge and the Wix platform, these

features were integrated into a site that is fast, reliable, and easy for Harbour’s team

to manage day to day. Every detail was designed with the central purpose of

ensuring people in urgent need of help can access it quickly, safely, and without

barriers.

For Digital Edge, it was a privilege to play a part in delivering a resource that will

continue to support people in some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

This website represents much more than a technical upgrade. It is a commitment to

ensuring that help is accessible, safety is prioritised, and the services Harbour

provide are visible to all who need them. It also demonstrates the impact of

combining local partnerships with world-class expertise; a collaboration that has

created a platform capable of changing lives across the North East.

Harbour’s new website is now live and can be accessed at www.myharbour.org.uk,

providing vital information, support, and resources for anyone affected by domestic

abuse.