Our Issues: Women and Homelessness

 
St Mungo’s we did research a few years ago that showed women in our services weren’t progressing the same as men. We talked with them about everything from room decoration to more fundamental types of psychological help we could offer.

It brought up challenging issues about how women become homeless and what aids their recovery.

Of women clients who have slept rough, more than a third (34%) said domestic violence had played a part in their homelessness. Almost half (45%) are mothers, and more than one in 10 (11%) have been in care.

A great many of our women clients have experienced violence or abuse of some kind. Many have more complex needs than men and came to us more fearful of making a change in their lives.

Against a backdrop of cuts to mental health and domestic violence services, St Mungo’s is launching a campaign to create better support for homeless women and those at risk of becoming homeless.

Over the next 18 months, supported by a panel of experts, we are asking people across sectors to focus on different themes – domestic violence, childhood trauma, relationships, mental health – and share their good practice.

We want women who have been homeless themselves, and those working with them, to contribute so that we can showcase what works. We want ideas, experiences and potential solutions so we can make vital and lasting changes.

St Mungo’s Rebuilding Shattered Lives campaign Action Week is June 18-24. See www.mungos.org