Working within the violence against women and girls arena (VAWG) we are dedicated to supporting women who also face additional barriers of isolation, poor physical and mental health, substance misuse, involvement with criminal justice system and financial hardship. We are dedicated to supporting women who face additional challenges of isolation, poor physical and mental health, substance misuse, criminal justice involvement and financial issues.
We also provide trauma and gender informed homelessness and housing support services to reach women who are hidden homeless, sofa surfing and helping women to maintain safe and secure housing.
We provide Specialist Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) for women who sex work and Health Inclusion support for women who do not access services.
How we can help
Drop-in
Our women’s drop-in centre offers a welcoming, non judgemental and safe space for practical and emotional support. Its often a first step for women to seek help and support.
1:1 Support
Offering support, advocacy and referrals based on each individual client need. This can include housing and homelessness. Benefits, finances and debt. Loneliness and isolation. Mental and physical health. Domestic and sexual abuse. Safety planning
Women's Health Inclusion Service
Supporting women who face additional barriers and inequality to access healthcare services or feel that current services do not reflect their needs or circumstances. Feel heard and supported to learn about services, community clinics, support groups and how make health choices. Understand more about:
Sexual health - ICash, STI screening kits, HIV Prep and contraception
Menstrual and reproductive health, periods, menopause and more.
Cancer awareness
GP's and Pharmacies
Transitional service
Outreach and 1:1 service for young women aged 18-25yrs who may be at risk of exploitation and coercion.
Criminal justice system support
Support to prevent the cycle of re-offending and engage women with the probation and rehabilitation services.
Specialist Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA)
A specialist service for women who have experienced sexual violence, coercion or who sex work. Providing safety advice and planning.
Outreach services
Support to women who are in vulnerable situations such as sleeping rough, homeless or street sex working. Providing crisis-intervention, sexual health services, safety advice or food, a hot drink and a chat. An opportunity to engage with women and support them to get the support they need.
Summer's story
Summer’s dad was a local drug dealer and he went to prison when she was 15. She was left in the care of her mum who was battling with addiction. She learnt of her dad’s death while he was in prison and at age 16 Summer and her mum became homeless. Mum found places to stay with her drug using associates and Summer was given accommodation with a local youth hostel.
Summer started a relationship with an older man and she moved in with him. He was so warm and charming and she felt loved and happy for the first time in a very long while. But bit by bit he began to ask her to get involved in his work, delivering ‘packages' to people, which she knew was wrong. He became abusive physically and mentally and she felt really scared. But the thought of being on her own again made her feel really empty and alone. She continued to carry out what her boyfriend asked of her but she was caught and charged by the police. After a horrible episode of abuse Summer knew she had to leave him and reached out to her mum and followed her into the drug dens where she was now living. Her boyfriend found her and asked her to come back...and she did. She felt safer with an abusive boyfriend then she did on her own.
Her probation worker referred her to our Doorway service, with her boyfriend now on remand, it provided a chance for Summer to move on. Summer came to our drop-in, she was highly anxious but very open and receptive to being supported.
Safeguarding Summer was our priority, we made a homeless application and accessed food and clothing as she had very few belongings. Our approach with Summer was urgent but gentle, understanding the trauma she had experienced in her young life, where she had been criminalised rather than protected. She needed lots of emotional support and reassurance to build her trust. We helped her register for appointments and she was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression, whilst also navigating her life with a mild learning disability.
Summer was given emergency accommodation and we provided support for Domestic abuse, discussing healthy relationships, consent and self-esteem. She continues to thrive with the support from the team of specialists that has been built around her. We continue to provide ongoing support on the next stage of her journey.
