Welcome to the March edition of WHIG’s Monthly Memo. Every month we share updates and highlights from our Action Group meetings. These include news about events, services, and things our members think may be useful to women experiencing or at risk of homelessness. If you would like to share something here, please email womencochairs@gmail.com.
This month our meeting took place at The Pankhurst Centre which is also the HQ of Manchester Women’s Aid. We were lucky to be given a tour of the Pankhurst Museum, the former home of activist Emmeline Pankhurst and the birthplace of the suffragette movement. Our wonderful guide Emma brought to life the story of how women fought for and won the right to vote, and we watched a powerful film highlighting the ongoing fight for women’s equality. We came away inspired to continue to campaign for change (although perhaps through more peaceful means). The Pankhurst Centre was saved from demolition and rebuilt by women in the 1980s to be used as a women’s centre and remains a place which supports women’s activism in Manchester today. If you would like to bring a group to visit the museum or want to find out about using the centre email: hello@pankhursttrust.org 
The Pankhurst Centre Drop in
Women’s Drop In | The Pankhurst Trust and Manchester Women’s Aid
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 April timetable here:
Beacon Support Centre, 45 Bloom Street, M1 3LY
We are delighted to have Barnabus recently join us at WHIG. Barnabus are active members of several other MHP Action Groups but have recently come to WHIG after noticing an increase in women accessing their Centre. The Centre offers breakfast, showers, clothes, healthcare, support, and activities. The staff running their drop in are all female although all services and activities are open to men and women. Women are welcome to request to speak to a female caseworker in a separate and confidential space. Please see here for the latest timetable Our Beacon Support Centre is open every weekday between 7:30 am till 12 pm. Please find details of our activities and services in our timetable (barnabus-manchester.org.uk)
Manchester City Council’s Commissioning team joined us to consult on plans for potential new supported housing for women funded by the Government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP). For further information or to input into the consultation please contact us womencochairs@gmail.com or anna.Thorogood@manchester.gov.uk or Katie katie.parker@manchester.gov.uk.
Next Meeting:
Thursday 27th April 1pm-2.30pm at the Booth Centre, Edward Holt House, Pimblett Street, Manchester M3 1FU
Come along to find out more about The University of Manchester’s Urban Institute Feminist Collective Event on Gender and Homelessness