Women’s Homelessness Involvement Group (WHIG) Monthly Memo January 2023

Welcome to WHIG’s new Monthly Memo.  Each month our members bring to our meetings details of upcoming events, new services and groups, new challenges and more. We want to share this knowledge more widely, so watch this space for our Action Group’s updates on things we think may be useful to women experiencing or at risk of homelessness or to services supporting women with homelessness. If you would like to share something here, please email  womencochairs@gmail.com ahead of our monthly meetings (4th Wednesday of the month).

Collaborative Women

Creating Safe Spaces For Women

Based in Trafford, Collaborative Women UK is a service provider of peer group accommodation and life skills training, focused on helping marginalised young women aged 18-35 who are fleeing gender-focused abuse. We have the following upcoming groups and activities:

Your Time to Make Time: A brand new FREE monthly space for new mums to meet new friends and learn new skills including children’s first aid. Where? The SQ Stretford Mall, Chester Rd, M32 9BD When? Last Friday of the month staring on 27th January 10am-12pm

Contact grace@collaborativewomen.co.uk for more information about getting involved.

Upcoming Events | Collaborative Women

5k Walk to raise money for the Christie Charity will take place on 4th March 2023 and will mark the start of our special month of activities to honour international women’s month. Training /socialising will take place on Wednesdays 12.30-2pm and Thursdays 6-7.30pm meet at Stretford Library. Everyone welcome.

The University of Manchester’s Urban Institute Feminist Collective Event on Gender and Homelessness

We are a group of researchers based at the University of Manchester with shared interests in and concerns for women’s lives, intersecting inequalities and the impact of austerity on public and third sector services. We are part of the Manchester Urban Institute Feminist Collective and in this capacity, we would like to facilitate a conversation about gender and homelessness in a context of intersecting crises. We have received funding to facilitate an event.

We are imagining the event could be a space of solidarity and reflection to talk about and think through how the cost of living crisis and energy crisis are shaping women’s experiences of homelessness and the pressures on organisations working in this sector, with an audience potentially comprising of organisations working on these issues, policy makers, activists, academics and community members. We would also like the event to produce a useful output for those involved that could be decided on and developed during the event.  If you would like to input into the development of the event, please submit your feedback here: Event on gender at homelessness (google.com)

Or for more information contact:

isis.barei-guyot@manchester.ac.uk

alison.briggs-2@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk

elizabeth.ackerley-2@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk

SEED Social Responsibility (social-responsibility.org)

Are you a woman living in temporary accommodation? Would you like to share your experiences as part of a research focus group? For your time and knowledge you will receive £20 Love2Shop vouchers, food/drink, travel expenses, free data. See here for more info:

Digital Skills Workshops for Women

The Pankhurst Centre drop in

60 Nelson Street, Manchester, M13 9WP

Takes place each week on Wednesdays 12-2 and offers wellbeing workshops and creative activities as well as talks and discussions. The Drop In allows women to socialise in a safe and supportive environment. There is a Family Law advice clinic on alternate weeks and a Shelter & Housing Benefits adviser once a month. A vegetarian lunch with dessert is provided for free each week.

For more info see our timetable here:

Women’s Drop In | The Pankhurst Trust and Manchester Women’s Aid

Edward Holt House
Pimblett Street
Manchester
M3 1FU 

Tel: 0161 835 2499

Women’s Groups

Wednesdays 10-12am:  Women’s Arts Group

NEW Thursdays 1-3pm: Women’s Empowerment Group

12pm Lunch Café for people attending morning or afternoon sessions

Need support? How we can help – Booth Centre

TSB launches ‘Emergency Flee Fund’ for domestic abuse victims

TSB launches ‘Emergency Flee Fund’ for domestic abuse victims, as Hestia reports rising demand for help