New 'one-stop' women's support centre to open

A new support hub offering help to vulnerable or at-risk women in North Yorkshire is due to open later this month.

The Women's Centre, in Scarborough, will provide a "calm, safe, welcoming space" for users to access a variety of services, including drug and alcohol support as well as housing, health and financial advice.

The project will be funded by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) and run by charity Changing Lives.

North Yorkshire's Deputy Mayor for policing, fire and crime Jo Coles said she hoped the centre would deliver "a transformative place for women in Scarborough".

Ms Coles said: "We know women often struggle to access some mainstream services so this will be a trauma-informed place, people will be inclusive [and] it will enable women to access services on their own terms.

In particular, the services available aim to improve outcomes for women who may be indirectly or directly involved, or at risk of involvement, with the criminal justice system or have other unmet needs.

The centre will be the second site located in North Yorkshire with Changing Lives already running the Women's Wellness Centre in York.

Faye Sunter, director of development at Changing Lives said: "I think Scarborough does face some high levels of deprivation and in many areas there's a lack of single-sex provision for women.

"Women are often disproportionately affected by things like child removal, sexual exploitation, domestic abuse and there's often barriers to engaging with mainstream services.

"We're hoping to work in partnership with a number of organisations to become a one-stop shop."

Located centrally, the centre does not have accommodation, but includes a kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities, as well as one-to-one and group spaces.

Ms Coles added that the provision was part of a wider drive with York and North Yorkshire mayor David Skaith "to deliver safe spaces for everyone in our region".

"This is a women's centre, but the mayor is also championing men's mental health which we know is an important factor in keeping women and girls safe as well," she added.

"This particular centre will be a transformative place for women in Scarborough."

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