Please Support The Women’s Sanctuary –
Helping Empower and Inspire

According to the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN), 522 women were sleeping on London’s streets between July and September 2021, an increase of 2% on 2020. However, this figure will be considerably higher when you include women who are staying in hostels or sofa-surfing. Particularly concerning is that homeless women are often under the age of 25.

Ensuring that these women have a safe place to come for support is incredibly important and means that they can avoid becoming homeless or avoid having to return to violent relationships and into possible further danger.

In order to help as many of these women as we can, in February 2022, we opened a new service called, The Women’s Sanctuary which provides specific support for women who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless. The Sanctuary empowers women and helps them change their lives. Since opening, we have supported over 50 women.

However, we are becoming increasingly concerned in the rise in calls we are receiving from our local community, especially from women in the hardest to reach communities, who are struggling to receive life changing, and potentially, life-saving support.

For example, we know there has been a shocking rise in the instances of domestic violence across the UK, both during and after the pandemic, which is forcing more people into homelessness, as that is often the only escape from an abusive relationship. We have also seen an increase in the age ranges of women coming to us for help, from 18 – 72, many with multiple and often complex challenges.

One of the women we have helped is Jo, who has lived for many years on the streets of London and has been subjected to violence and sexual abuse. Watch her powerful story below.

Jo actually helped design the Women’s Sanctuary, which is a safe, inclusive space where diversity is celebrated, and differences embraced. We provide a welcoming and supportive environment, both physically and emotionally.

All women who use the service can enjoy the freedom to express themselves free from judgement. The Sanctuary can be used as a quiet space to be calm in or for those interested in expanding their social networks, it can also be a fun, friendly place. We are building a community where women can socialize, share knowledge, compassion, and support.