Specialist support for women in
Welcome to this directory of women’s centres and specialist women’s services based and operating in Greater London.
The National Women’s Justice Coalition believes all women and girls in contact with the criminal justice system should have access to high quality, trauma-responsive, gender-specific specialist services that are evidence-based and continuously improving. To support this, each of the organisations featured on the Women’s Services Map has been reviewed and verified by the NWJC and the services advertised in this directory are routinely checked and updated for accuracy and availability.
Women’s Centres inGreater London
This is a list of women’s centres in Greater London that offer a range of specialist services to address women and girl’s complex and multiple needs.
These services may include community support groups, clinics, programmes and drop-ins, self-help courses and trainings, prison-based and in-reach services, casework support and one to one personalised support and seek to address the following support needs: Accommodation, Behavioural Support, Bereavement, Grief and Loss, Domestic Abuse, Education, Training and Employment, Family, Parenting and Relationships, Finance, Benefit and Debt, Immigration and Asylum, Legal, Mental Health, Peer to Peer, Perinatal, Physical Health & Wellbeing, Sexual Violence and Exploitation and Substance Misuse
Click on the Centre name to find out more about the featured organisation and the specialist women’s services they provide.
SHEWISE
SHEWISE supports the educational, economic, and social development of minority ethnic women and young girls experiencing multiple disadvantages of mental health, domestic abuse, skills development, employability and those affected by the criminal justice system.
Advance – West London
Advance is a women’s organisation, delivering systems change and trauma and gender-informed community- based support for women and girls affected by domestic abuse, including those in contact with the criminal justice system. We work nationally through our innovative, best-practice approach and systems change initiatives.
Working Chance
Working Chance is a UK-wide charity helping women with convictions to gain employment. We have one office in London but work with women with convictions around the UK remotely to help them develop the confidence, skills and self-belief they need to unlock their potential and thrive. Advance – North London
Advance is a women’s organisation, delivering systems change and trauma and gender-informed community- based support for women and girls affected by domestic abuse, including those in contact with the criminal justice system. We work nationally through our innovative, best-practice approach and systems change initiatives.
Birth Companions
Birth Companions offers support to women experiencing inequality and disadvantage during pregnancy and early motherhood, including those who are serving a prison sentence, have been released from prison recently, or are involved with the criminal justice system in the community.
Daddyless Daughters
The Daddyless Daughters Project CIC was founded by Aliyah Ali and is a non-profit organisation based in South East London. We support girls and young women who have been affected by family breakdown, abuse and adversity across London between the age of 14 – 30 years old.
Women in Prison
Women in Prison is a unique, women-only organisation that provides gender-specialist support to women affected by the criminal justice system and campaigns to expose the injustice and damage caused to women and their families by imprisonment.
Beth Centre
The Beth Centre is a safe and confidential space providing support to women at risk of, or affected by the criminal justice system in Lambeth. The Beth Centre has full time Case Management Workers with specialisms in substance misuse, release from prison, mental health, domestic violence and parenting. Advance – East London
Our Women’s Centre in Stratford offers activities such as wellbeing sessions, film screenings, book clubs, yoga, and various drop ins you can join. There are also opportunities to join workshops and courses on topics such as finances and budgeting, training and employment, mental health, and others.
Clean Break
Clean Break is a women’s theatre company that is changing lives and changing minds – on stage, in prison and in the community. We work with high-profile theatres to co-produce our plays, including the National Theatre, Royal Court, Bush Theatre and Sheffield Theatres.
Hibiscus Women’s Centre
Our Women’s Centre is a bright, cheerful, women-only space in Islington, North London where we support Black and minoritised migrant women affected by the criminal justice and immigration systems, and survivors of trafficking.Support for women in Greater London with Immigration and Asylum challenges
Women and girls seeking asylum or in contact with the immigration system need access to specialist, culturally sensitive, language appropriate support and services. This includes women in immigration removal centres, migrant women in custody, prison and on probation, and displaced women and families resettling into communities.
Hibiscus Community Support Project
Hibiscus community project provides holistic, women-centered support to foreign national and BAMER women affected by criminal justice system and survivors of trafficking. We provide advocacy, practical support and signposting service as well as activities and workshops in Hibiscus Women’s Centre.Support for women in Greater London with Physical Health & Wellbeing challenges
Managing physical health and wellbeing is essential for women to be able to heal, grow and prosper. These women’s centres and specialist services aim to support women and girls to develop and keep healthy habits, improve their fitness, do exercise, practice mindfulness and self-care, eat and sleep well, participate in rewarding hobbies and activities, and value themselves fully.
Women’s Services
Daddyless Daughters’ work is centred on research, lived experiences and therapeutic approaches providing one to one and group mentoring services, creative expression projects, community events, trauma informed training and educational workshops. Reconnect and Rebuild
Reconnect and Rebuild supports women to settle back into the community after leaving prison. Our trained bilingual staff and volunteers work to create pathways for South Asian women released from prison to reclaim and rebuild their lives and rejoin their families and communities. Advance Minerva WrapAround Support
Targeted support and advocacy for women to address practical needs for up to 12 months, including outreach services and signposting Intensive one-to-one support across all women’s rehabilitative needs Safe, women-only local hubs across London and Women’s centres in North (Finsbury Park), East Birth Companions HMP Foston Hall
In HMP Foston Hall, we currently provide support for pregnant women and mothers separated from their babies and infants. Our support in HMP Foston Hall takes the form of 1-1 visits; antenatal group sessions; practical, emotional, information and advocacy support; and remote support via phone, post and email. Community Antenatal Services
Our pregnancy classes help women prepare for the birth of their baby Antenatal education is an important part of preparing to have a baby. Many women will prefer to come to classes with other expectant mothers experiencing similar challenges. Advance Minerva WrapAround Support
Targeted support and advocacy for women to address practical needs for up to 12 months, including outreach services and signposting Intensive one-to-one support across all women’s rehabilitative needs Safe, women-only local hubs across London and Women’s centres in North (Finsbury Park), East Birth Companions HMP Bronzefield
In HMP Bronzefield, we currently run a weekly Wellbeing Group for pregnant women. WIP Health Matters
The main objective of the Health Matters project is to give support, advice and materials to women regarding their healthcare needs. We aim to do this by: – helping women to identify and give priority to their healthcare needs – helping women approach healthcare/wellbeing in a holistic way – i. Women’s centre support – Hammersmith
Targeted support and advocacy for women to address practical needs for up to 12 months, including outreach services and signposting Intensive one-to-one support across all women’s rehabilitative needs Safe, women-only local hubs across London and Women’s centres in North (Finsbury Park), East
Bridges to Health – WIP
We are a Through-The-Gate service working in HMP Bronzefield, HMP Downview and HMP Send, who work with women up to three months prior to leaving custody, supporting them to plan for their release and resettlement in to the community. We then work Through-The-Gate providing them with support in the community for up to three months. Community CJS – Perinatal Support service
Individual support for women involved with the criminal justice system (CJS) in the community, during pregnancy and early motherhood. Birth Companions has been working with women involved in the criminal justice system for the last 25 years, so we understand the added stress that women face when they are on probation.
Wellbeing
Women’s health and wellbeing is seldom given importance it deserves, especially amongst South Asian and Middle Eastern communities. Barriers such as stigmas, language difficulties, lack of education on health matters and feelings of guilt and shame, often prevent women from accessing health services that are available to them. We want to change that! The Beth Centre
The Beth Centre was set up in January 2014 and is a safe and confidential space providing expert support for women living in Lambeth at risk of, or affected by the criminal justice system. We aim to reduce re-offending rates, develop positive familial relationships and reduce the use of custody, for women. Community Postnatal Service
Support for new mothers and their babies Support and a sense of community are vital during early motherhood. Some women facing many challenges will prefer to come to a group that is designed to meet their needs with other mothers in similar situations. Clean Break Members Programme and Young Artists Development Programme
Clean Break Members Programme Clean Break’s Members Programme is available for free to women aged 18 and above who have lived experience of the criminal justice system or are at risk of entering it due to the challenges they are facing, such as mental ill health or substance use issues, which place Community Births
Individual support for women in London including birth support Preparing for the birth of a new baby without the support of family and friends, or the resources to get essential practical items can be really hard. During pregnancy we can visit a woman at home or meet in a place of her choice.Support for women in Greater London with Behavioural Support challenges
Behavioural support services inspire and build confidence, providing women with tools, guidance and encouragement to address challenges linked to social anxiety and relationship building. These services also help women and girls to develop emotional coping strategies and social behaviours in positive and empowering ways.
EPIC Peer Mentor
EPIC – Enabling Positive Individual Change – is a peer mentoring scheme provided to women within the boroughs of Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Croydon, Wandsworth and Sutton. Peer Mentors provide support to women who are currently involved or at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system, by providing person centred support. Creating Community Connections
The aim of this project is to strengthen partnerships between a national network of women’s centres, prisons and women in custody to support women through custody to community. Parenting and Domestic Violence Case Manager
The Parenting and Domestic Violence Case Manager offers intensive, practical and therapeutic support tomothers to be and mothers whose children have had contact with statutory children’s services and/or the mother has been or at risk of being affected by the criminal justice system. Skills Development and Enterprise
SHEWISE Skills Development Programmes created by trained bilingual staff, work to give women the opportunity to develop their skills and enhance their work readiness through different training programmes.Support for women in Greater London with Domestic Abuse challenges
Domestic violence and abuse support services help women and girls to overcome the physical, emotional, financial and logistical impacts of abuse and rebuild their lives free from fear and intimidation. For women seeking safety, fleeing from an abusive partner or relationship, or recovering as a survivor of abuse, these services can provide a framework for recovery.
Domestic Abuse Support
We provide grassroots support to minority ethnic women experiencing all forms of abuse and intersectionality of inequalities based on gender, race, faith, culture and sexuality, ensuring their voices are heard.Support for women in Greater London with Family, Parenting and Relationships challenges
These specialist services and programmes aim to support women to navigate and manage the challenges and demands associated with their caring and dependent relationships, parenting responsibilities and trusted interpersonal relationships with family members, partners, friends and colleagues.
Together Bluebird Service
The aim is that this will reduce their risk of reoffending, relapsing and recall. The Bluebird Service forms part of the Integrated Community Service on the Offender’s Personality Disorder Pathway, providing psychologically informed support, advocacy and advice to women in the community.Support for women in Greater London with Mental Health challenges
Women and girls experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, poor mental health, at risk of self-harm or emotional crisis, and difficulties accessing appropriate mental healthcare need specialist support. This includes help to access to mental health professionals, counselling, talking therapies, services and advocacy support. These services can signpost and refer women into appropriate services, develop care plans, facilitate crisis interventions, and begin to address women’s mental health issues and challenges to achieve mental health wellness.
Mental Health Case Manager
The Beth Centre has a full time Case Manager with Mental Health specialism. Women can be co-worked with other Case Managers, however, women will be assigned to the Mental Health Case Manager if mental health is their priority need.Support for women in Greater London with Sexual Violence and Exploitation challenges
Women and girls who have experienced or are experiencing sexual violence and exploitation need specialist support to overcome the physical, emotional, financial and logistical impacts of abuse and rebuild their lives free from fear and intimidation. Services may include supporting survivors of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), victims of trafficking, sexual exploitation, and those involved with or exiting sex work.
Support for women in Greater London with Education, Training and Employment challenges
For services offering women and girls support with accessing and participating in education, training or employment opportunities including paid and voluntary work when leaving prison. Services include helping those experiencing unemployment or needing to declare criminal convictions to re-enter the job market or education.
Employability and employment support (Working Chance)
Working Chance is a national charity that helps women with convictions develop their confidence and self-belief and overcome barriers to employment. We work with any woman who has received a conviction or caution regardless of how long ago this might have been.Support for women in Greater London with Finance, Benefit and Debt challenges
Many women experience stress, anxiety and hardship linked to their finances, benefits and debt. Specialist finance, benefit and debt support services can offer financial advice, debt relief and management plans, guidance on benefit entitlements and allowances, and signposting to professional advice and support schemes aimed at relieving financial hardship.
Support for women in Greater London with Accommodation challenges
These specialist accommodation services provide support to women living in temporary or insecure housing or to those experiencing homelessness including sofa surfing. Some services may also support women to secure safe, approved premises, affordable housing or accommodation.
Support for women in Greater London with Peer to Peer challenges
Peer to peer and mentoring services can help to empower women, connect those with similar lived and learned experiences of the criminal justice system, and provide opportunities for women to find volunteer and paid work.
Support for women in Greater London with Substance Misuse challenges
These services support women and girls experiencing addiction or drug, alcohol or substance dependency, undergoing drug and alcohol cessation or intervention treatment, recovering from addiction, have problems with drugs, drink or unsafe substances and those who identify as recovering addicts.
Substance Misuse Case Manager
The Beth Centre has a full time Case Manager with Substance Misuse specialism. Women can be co-worked with other Case Managers, however, women will be assigned to the Substance Misuse Case Manager if substance misuse is their priority support need.Support for women in Greater London with Perinatal challenges
For pregnant women and girls, new mothers and those with babies and toddlers under 2, accessing antenatal, postnatal and perinatal support and services is vital during their journey into motherhood. Specialist services for women separated from their children, in contact with the children’s social care system, and for pregnant women in prison, on mother & baby units and at risk of removal, specialist services are also available.
Support for women in Greater London with Bereavement, Grief and Loss challenges
For women experiencing bereavement, grief and loss, accessing emotional support, counselling services and advocacy support can be crucial to their healing. Grief counselling, talking therapy and group work can all provide comfort and guidance to women as they cope with their loss.
Support for women in Greater London with Legal challenges
Women in contact with the criminal justice system need access to quality legal advice and support services throughout their justice journey. Services may include pro bono legal advice, support with understanding women’s rights and UK Law and guidance with accessing legal aid.