Who are we...
Founded in 1997 by women working in domestic abuse support, Endeavour began with a clear insight: some women were staying in unsafe homes because they feared for their pet’s safety.
From that recognition, the UK’s first specialist domestic abuse pet fostering service was created. Established in Bolton originally as Paws for Kids, the charity began at a kitchen table and operated entirely through volunteers in its early years. We grew in response to local need and later became named Endeavour.
Today, Endeavour is an independent community charity supporting people and their pets at all risk levels of domestic abuse.
We provide whole-family advocacy, safety planning, outreach in temporary accommodation, specialist support for young people, trauma-informed counselling, and dedicated services for older adults and those at risk of harmful practices. While most of those we support are women, we welcome referrals from men and LGBTQ+ communities.
Our Community Hub in Great Lever strengthens prevention and recovery, reducing isolation and connecting people to support before crisis escalates. Authentic Voice, our lived-experience forum, ensures survivors help shape our services and influence wider systems.
We work to remove barriers — including housing, language, poverty, age and immigration status — and stay alongside people as they rebuild their lives.
Since 1997, our commitment has remained the same: no one gets left behind.
Our Values
Our values shape how we work with the people we support, our partners, and our staff and volunteers.
We do not direct decisions. Every person has the right to make their own choices. We listen, provide information, and work alongside.
- Compassion: We respond with care and understanding, particularly at times of crisis.
- Respect: We uphold dignity, listen without judgement, and honour individual autonomy.
- Empathy: We recognise the impact of trauma and work in ways that prioritise safety and trust.
- Equality: We challenge injustice and remove barriers to safety and support.
- Diversity: We welcome people from all backgrounds, recognising that experiences of abuse are shaped by identity and circumstance.
These values are reflected in our advocacy, our Community Hub, our partnerships and our commitment to community-led support.