We’re pleased to share the news of our latest site & community developments. In January 2025, we will open a new 9-bedroom specialist Women’s Only accommodation at our Ditchingham site, aimed at supporting women who are rebuilding their lives after homelessness and trauma.
Since opening our 3-bedroom women’s wing 2020 we have received an increasing amount of referrals for women to join our community. We also know that across the UK, women make up 60% of homeless adults in temporary accommodation (Shelter, 2021). We wanted to create a project that will support women by providing a home but also helping them recover from difficult life events.
The women joining our new community house may have experienced sexual violence, domestic abuse and may have experienced homelessness, or be at risk of it. We have a lease on a property at the rear of our site, previously used by a Christian charity, which will enable women to have a separate, secluded space to recover, attend courses and live.
The project will be ran as a one year pilot, where we will work with women to build and develop the services on offer – co-creating with the people we support. Throughout the year, women will gain new skills in 3 micro social enterprises, including textiles, upcycling and blacksmithing in our forge to create bespoke items. Women will also receive 360-degree therapeutic support, including 8-week programmes on recovery from domestic abuse and sexual violence.
We will also support women to think of thier next steps beyond the project, whether at Emmaus or elsewhere.
Cecile Roberts, our CEO, shares “We’re thrilled to offer this important support for women. Through our work with companions we identified specific challenges that were preventing some women from growing and moving forward. This project is designed to empower women to make healthier life choices and take meaningful steps towards building authentic, stable and fulfilling lives. We’re deeply grateful to our landlords, the Community of All Hallows for their invaluable support in helping us expand our reach and make a greater impact.”
With only 9 bedrooms, spaces to join the community are limited. Applications can be made by contacting our support team via [email protected]. Find out more about the project here.
