In January 2025, we’re pleased to be introducing a new Women’s Only community project to support women to make healthy life choices and take action towards authentic, settled and fulfilling lives.
We will be welcoming a new group of women, as residents known as companions, into a 9 bedroom house for one year to live and recover after experiencing challenging life events. The women in this community house may have experienced sexual violence, domestic abuse and homelessness or be at risk of homelessness. Our team will be working with them over the course of a year to help them to make positive changes in their life. We will be co-creating this project with the first 9 women, as we progress through the year – ensuring this community is providing the support companions need.
This new home will be set in the beautiful Orchards of our site, offering a restful and calming environment to recover. With only 9 bedrooms, spaces are limited but please get in touch if this community project sounds like something that would benefit you or someone you know.
Apply to our Women's Community
Therapeutic Support
Through the Women’s Community we will respond to specific issues, offering therapeutic support around domestic abuse, sexual violence, coercive control, loss of family and loss of self-control. The project will include a range of trauma-informed support including:
- 8 week in-depth programme on awareness and recovery from domestic abuse
- 8 week in-depth programme on awareness and recovery from sexual violence
- Therapeutic and creative activities
- Work experience in 3 new micro businesses & in our existing social enterprises
- Skills building and work experience including tenancy sustainability and employability
- Tailored support to plan next steps and move-on
Work Experience & Workshops
While living in our community, women will gain work experience in three new micro enterprises including a textile & craft business, upcycling and blacksmithing in our Forge.
Time outside of social enterprises will be spent in therapeutic workshops, individual support sessions and wellbeing activities. Women will also work in the main social enterprises to ensure they are part of our larger Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney community.
Throughout the project we’ll be supporting companions to think of their next steps whether that’s as part of our community or moving on elsewhere. We have options on site for women to stay long-term after the pilot year has ended.
More Information & Referrals
We are working alongside Insley Consultancy , Your Own Place and Emmaus UK to ensure the project is led with a trauma informed approach.
A referral to the Women’s Community can be made by an individual or any professional. Download a referral form here and return to Jo, our Community Manager via [email protected]. To chat about the project, get in touch with Cecile, our CEO via [email protected] or give us a call on 01986 899011.
Please be aware with only 9 bedrooms, spaces on this project are limited.
Cecile Roberts, CEO of Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney“We’re excited to offer tailored support for women, designed by women. It’s incredibly important to us that the therapeutic interventions we provide have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
Our goal is for women to leave our pilot year not only with practical skills but also with tools that will enhance their wellbeing and resilience.”
