Charity creates centre to support homeless women

A centre to support women who have experienced homelessness and other "unmet needs" including domestic abuse and exploitation has been established in York.

Charity Changing Lives said the women-only accommodation comprises of two properties, one with three bedrooms and the other with six.

As well as offering residents a safe space, they will also benefit from support in areas such as budgeting, education and housing, the charity added.

Faye Sunter, director of development, said mixed-gender accommodation facilities often "don't work for women", adding that some "don't feel safe" when using them.

"We see a lot that women can be adversely affected by various issues from women's health, child removal, sexual exploitation, stigma," she said.

"Particularly in York, we see women leaving the criminal justice system and finding safe accommodation to move on to and not returning to old lifestyles can be problematic."

She added that there was a "huge demand nationally" for gender specific accommodation.

The properties are closely linked with the charity's existing women's wellness centre in York, enabling residents to access a GP running a women's clinic, therapeutic groups, recovery services and advice on benefits and tenancies.

"In mainstream services where there's mixed genders, women are often expected to attend to get the support they need, but within that, they end up bumping into old acquaintances and often the perpetrators of abuse," she said.

The service has been designed in collaboration with women who have used similar facilities.

Ms Sunter said it aimed to work with women to help them "find ways forward" and was not about making them "repeat their story" or judging them on it.

"It's about empowering the women as well, so not necessarily making decisions for people, but empowering them to make the best decision for them."

Referrals to the accommodation can be made through City of York Council, the probation service, or individual women aged 18 or over who find themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness.

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