FAQs

Who is Spring Lodge for?

Spring Lodge is for any adult living in Lincolnshire who wishes to talk to someone about their options following rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse. This can be recent or in the past.

Do I have to be referred?

You don’t have to be referred.  It’s up to you if you want to talk or see us.

You can contact us directly and if you call during Monday to Friday 9am till 5pm you will reach someone at the centre. If you call out of hours then a call centre telephone operator will put you through to one of our crisis workers who are on call out of hours.

What will happen if I call?

Our worker will treat your call with sensitivity and try to understand what help you need. This may vary depending on when the incident has happened, your age and circumstances, so they will listen to what you have to say but may also need to ask you some  questions.

They will explain your options and help you to understand what this means, please feel free to ask us any questions which may help you. 

Ultimately we hope that by the end of your call you will have made an appointment with us, if appropriate, or have gained the information you need to process further.

Do I need to tell you who I am?

We would like to know who you are and during a call we may wish to address you by your name. We would be pleased if you can tell us your name, even if it’s a first name. We will ask your age so we can help you age appropriately.

If you then wish to book an appointment with us then we will need more details. Please be assured that as with any NHS organisation we have a duty to protect your information under the NHS Code of Practice on Confidentiality.

What is a forensic examination and will I have to have one?

You will only need to have a forensic examination if the police think that it could help your case. Even though this may sound daunting, please know that you are in control and you can ask as many questions as you like and you could stop the examination at any point.

Not everyone is advised to have a medical examination so it really does depend on your individual situation. If you are requested to attend for a medical examination then you will be given lots of information about it and you will be supported throughout by our crisis workers.

Will I get emotional support?

Emotional support is part of our service, combined with giving information and helping you to navigate the legal process or other services. Many people find speaking to one of our workers very helpful in terms of their wellbeing. We provide various support, depending on whether you decide to go through the legal process or not. Speaking to a member of team will give you the information you need to get the right help.

We do not provide counselling, however, if this is required, please take a look at our useful information page or call us as we can signpost you for some more in depth emotional support as appropriate.

Will I be safe at Spring Lodge?

Yes, your safety is very important to us and Spring Lodge is a secure centre; no-one is allowed in without us knowing who they are. We do not publish our address so you may wish to ask for this when making an appointment.

Do I have to talk to the police?

No you don’t have to talk to the police if you do not wish to and there are no police officers based on site.  However, as we are a joint centre, if police are present on site then your presence will be kept confidential from them. You can come to talk to us and then at a later date choose to talk to the police if you wish to.

Will the information I give be confidential?

We will not disclose your information to a third party without your permission unless the health and safety of yourself or others is at risk, including the wider public or if we are required to do so by law.

There may be times when sharing information with other parties is beneficial for your care but we would discuss this with you first. If you are over 18 we would only do this if you gave us permission. Confidentiality will be discussed with you further on the phone or face to face.