Homelessness can be different for women

When you think of someone who is homeless, who do you think of? If it’s a man, you wouldn’t be alone. But homelessness isn’t specific to gender. It can happen to anyone. Women may not be as visible when sleeping rough, but they are very much a part of the homeless community in Nottingham. And the dangers presented to them can be very different to those experienced by men.

Click here to read the Big Issue’s report on how homelessness is different for women.

Emmanuel House recognises the awful impact of homelessness on women.  That is why some of our support and provision is female focused.

In 2015, we spoke to Karen* about her experience of sleeping rough before she stayed at our Winter Shelter:

“You’re freezing cold, you’re vulnerable, you’ve got men out there, your phone gets nicked, you get spat on when you’re sat on the floor, and you have to sit down because you’re tired, you’re freezing cold. One night I had to sit there with carrier bags on my feet just to stay warm. Do you know belittling and degrading that is? Your mental health… you just want to die. You don’t want to be alive, it’s horrible.”

What did that first night in the shelter do for you?

“At first, I thought ‘oh no, not again’. I thought it was going to be horrible. I imagined… You hear stories… It was nothing like that at all. I was able to wash, I was able to look after my lady bits, they gave me food, somewhere safe to sleep. It changed everything. I’m now in temporary accommodation, my mental health has been sorted out. I’m looking for work. I’ve turned it around. Not everyone that’s homeless is on drugs. And if even they are, why can’t we help them? There’s always a reason why somebody ends up in that position.”

How we support women who are homeless:

Female Rough Sleeper Specialist Hannah

Hannah works with women who are rough sleeping, sofa surfing or in emergency accommodation. The women she works with experience ‘severe multiple disadvantages’, such as homelessness, domestic abuse, substance misuse, involvement with the criminal justice system and mental illness.

Read more about Hannah’s experiences of working with female rough sleepers

Hannah’s experience of and expertise in working with women with severe multiple disadvantages means that she is a brilliant asset to our support team. We are proud of the work she does and the support she is able to provide. For more information on the work she does, visit our Single Support Service page.

The Wellbeing Support Team’s new women’s group

Our Wellbeing Support Team has recently relaunched its women’s group for women who are living in temporary accommodation and women who access Emmanuel House’s services. The group meets weekly and will be focusing on activities surrounding mindfulness, gardening and art. They’re currently taking part in a 6-week mindfulness course with a mindfulness expert who is volunteering her time.

The programme of activities will be influenced by the wants and needs of the group. It is designed to be inclusive and welcoming of all women.

Emmanuel House’s short-term emergency accommodation for women

• At our Winter Shelter, we have separate rooms available for women.
• We’re currently running a project that offers emergency short-term accommodation for women who are homeless and fleeing domestic abuse.

Culturally Specific Support Service for women

Our Culturally Specific Support Worker Kalwant works with women from minoritised ethnic communities who are living in insecure housing in Nottingham. A number of these women have children living with them.

Partnership working

We often signpost our female beneficiaries to other services in Nottingham that provide specialist support. These include, but are not exclusive to, Juno Women’s Aid, the Women’s Centre, POhWER and Imara.

Drop-in sessions open for women

Every weekday morning (apart from Wednesdays), we’re open for people who are homeless to come in and get the help they need. This can often include:

• Showers and toiletries
• Sanitary products
• Access to clean and dry clothing

What is Emmanuel House doing during the week of International Women’s Day?

• Mindfulness sessions with our women’s group
• Attending NTU’s Students’ Union IWD take over

How you can help:

• Buy and donate new women’s underwear
• Donate toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel)
• Donate women’s clothes