Welcome to the April 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 was hosted by the Booth Centre, a community centre run with people affected by homelessness.
The Booth Centre will be running:
- An Art group on Wednesday’s 10am-12pm- all women welcome! Please contact harriet@boothcentre.org.uk for more information.
- A Women’s Empowerment Group on Thursday Afternoon, 12:30-3pm. Please see the poster below for May’s Timetable.
The Booth Centre, Pimblett Street, M3 1FU.
We were joined by Karen Brackenridge from the Manchester Museum. The newly re-opened Museum has a commitment to supporting organisations, offering activities and a safe space for people accessing services. There are co-working spaces available at the museum, as well as the option to take museum items and activities into the community if this would be of benefit to organisations and their users.
For more information, please contact karen.brackenridge@manchester.ac.uk.
Manchester Museum, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL
Saheli, a charity providing support and refuge from domestic abuse to women from Black, Asian and minority communities and their children also joined us at the meeting. 
Saheli will be running Women’s Empowerment Sessions on Wednesday’s, 10am-12:30pm at Levenshulme Inspire Centre, M19 3AR.
Tel: 0161 945 4187
Email: info@saheli.org.uk
Chris Hulse provided an overview of the Department for Work and Pensions’ work in Manchester. This includes outreach with the Street Engagement team; working with job centres; picking up and signposting people who present with a history of domestic abuse and homelessness; working on Cost of Living events and the Cost of Living Advice Line; working with staff in prisons and work around probation.
Chris highlighted the importance of partnerships with other support agencies to help people feel safe and well and to prevent homelessness.
The University of Manchester’s Urban Institute’s Feminist Collective provided an update on their event ‘Women’s safety: Housing and intersecting crises in Manchester’.
This event will bring together individuals, organisations, and those working with and for local authorities to discuss women’s* safety in relation to the housing crisis and other intersecting crises in Manchester. The aim of this event is to share challenges and learning; create solidarity; and push for systemic changes to support women’s safety. A report will be commissioned after the event and shared.
The event will take place on 18th May 2023, 12-3pm. 7 spaces are reserved for WHIG members- all interested in attending please email womencochairs@gmail.com. 
*Please note we define women as anyone identifying as a woman.
Hanson Room, Humanities Bridgeford Street, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL
The Pankhurst Centre’s Women-Only Drop In takes place each week on Wednesday’s 12-2pm.
The drop in 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 May timetable here:
60 Nelson Street, Manchester, M13 9WP
Collaborative women will be running Paediatric First Aid Sessions beginning Friday 12th May.
Collaborative women also shared their plans to launch a third housing project.
Upcoming WHIG meetings:
- Our May meeting will take place on Thursday 25th May, from 13:30 – 15:00 at Cornerstone Day Centre, M15 6JS.
- Our June meeting will take place on Thursday 22nd June, 13:30 – 15:00, at Manchester Museum, M13 9PL.
If you would like to be added to the agenda for either of these meetings, please email womencochairs@gmail.com.