Our women's shelter

Our first year-round shelter - The Manse House - opened in July 2019.  Based in a four-bedroom house in Hackney, this unique shelter provided accommodation and support for up to nine women at any one time.

The project was initially run as a pilot project for 12 months, part funded by the GLA Mayor’s Rough Sleeping Innovation fund with match funding provided by Hackney Doorways. It proved to be extremely successful, providing a warm, safe and familiar space for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, we took advice and put in place systems for keeping guests and volunteers safe.  The house provided a safe place for five women to stay throughout periods of lockdown in 2020 and 2021. 

Due to challenges with the building the women's shelter was closed in 2025. We are looking for premises to open a new women's shelter where we can support more women facing homelessness.

We are extremely grateful to all those who support our women's shelter project.