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NLWP

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NLWP

Job description: North London Women's Project Residents at St Mungo's

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Areas of interest: Housing and homelessness – services for women with complex needs, Domestic abuse, Families and children – including relationships, Substance use, Women involved in the criminal justice system, Mental health and wellbeing, Childhood trauma – including being in care or childhood abuse, Employment and skills, Improving support for women involved in prostitution

NLWP's Recent Activity

"A residents view: I came over to the UK from Uganda with my husband and after two months I was pregnant. The baby died at 38 weeks so I had a still birth and we lost our council property because I was no longer pregnant. After that my husband was not good to me, always shouting and then he left. I was homeless for one month sleeping outside and had lost my home, baby and husband and it was very difficult. Rough sleeping is an awful situation for women- there need to be more support. I went to the Church and they referred me to the North London Women’s Project. Things are much better now, but because of my experiences I don’t sleep and have to take tablets. I find it difficult to be around people who use drugs and alcohol as I don’t. I pray day and night that one day I will have my own home so I can settle, go back to college and get employment."
Reply To: Prevention and recovery from domestic abuse and sexual violence

"A resident's view: When I became homeless and went to the Council they asked me loads of personal questions before they told me anything about the system and the types of accommodation out there. It would be better if women could have a leaflet first before they have to disclose their stories. I was interviewed in an open room and did not feel comfortable, I was whispering my details. For women who have had bad experiences such as domestic violence they should always be interviewed in a private room. I have been to a women’s group on domestic violence delivered by a refuge provider before that was really helpful. They talked about what to expect in a relationship, and how to spot signs that someone is controlling or abusive before you go out with them. To prevent more women becoming homeless from domestic violence it would be good if there was some kind of women’s advice bureau where you could access advice on relationships, money and legal matters before things get really bad. In homeless hostels I think generally there is less constant support than in refuges. Key workers need to spot the signs if someone is feeling down or depressed and reach out. That is why I like my key worker here- we have lots of informal chats as well as key working sessions. For moving on from hostels or refuges it is important that workers give realistic options about council housing, private rented sector or supported housing. If women had a chance to go and see the different types of accommodation before they made their decision they would feel more confident. I am worried about taking a 6 month lease, if it was 1 year I wouldn’t mind, stability is really important."
Reply To: Prevention and recovery from domestic abuse and sexual violence

"A Resident’s View: ‘I put up with domestic violence for a very long time but then I made a stand and left- that is how I first ended up in London. Women can become homeless because they are strong, decide not to stand for it any more and run away. I knew a woman who went back to the same man forty times and then he ended up killing her. Women need more support in their homes so the perpetrator can be arrested and they don’t have to run away.’ ‘I have been in a refuge before and various homelessness projects. In the refuge I felt safe but another woman’s partner found her and that had a bad impact on all the women there. It turned out he lived just around the corner and knew what school her child went to so found her easily. Women need the option to move far away and change schools for their children.’ ‘Because I have been harmed by men before, I didn’t feel that safe in mixed homelessness projects. In one it was dormitories with curtains between the beds rather than rooms. There was a separate section for women, but still there was lots of heavy drinking and fighting. It is important to have a lock on your door.’ ‘Colchester Mind was a good service I used to go to in the day and receive food and support’. ‘I feel safe in this project (North London Women’s Project) and am a lot better now. I used to be drinking heavily, including on the street. It is quite quiet around this area which is good.’"
Reply To: Domestic abuse and sexual violence

"A Resident's View: ‘I put up with domestic violence for a very long time but then I made a stand and left- that is how I first ended up in London. Women can become homeless because they are strong, decide not to stand for it any more and run away. I know a woman who went back to the same man forty times and then he ended up killing her. Women need more support in their homes so the perpetrator can be arrested and they don’t have to run away.’ ‘I have been in a refuge before and various homelessness projects. In the refuge I felt safe but another woman’s partner found her and that had a bad impact on all the women there. It turned out he lived just around the corner and knew what school her child went to so found her easily. Women need the option to move far away and change schools for their children.’ ‘Because I have been harmed by men before, I didn’t feel that safe in mixed homelessness projects. In one it was dormitories with curtains between the beds rather than rooms. There was a separate section for women, but still there was lots of heavy drinking and fighting. It is important to have a lock on your door.’ ‘Colchester Mind was a good service I used to go to in the day and receive food and support’. ‘I feel safe in this project (North London Women’s Project) and am a lot better now. I used to be drinking heavily, including on the street. It is quite quiet around this area which is good.’"
Reply To: Housing and homelessness – services for women with complex needs

"Residents view: I became homeless because of domestic violence, walked the streets for a week and then accessed the church run Hackney Night Shelter. That was a brilliant service, really nice people. The street rescue service then managed to get me a placement at the North London Women’s Project. There needs to be more information available to women so they don’t have to sleep rough and they can know where to go. I think Councils are not as helpful as they should be to women who do not have dependent children. There was no way for me to find out about all the accommodation or housing schemes that I was eligible for. I think there are less single homelessness services out there for women because society perceives women as mothers and homemakers. I have four adult children and the youngest are twins. In the past Social Services got involved and took the twins away because of the domestic violence situation with their father. They should have moved me and the children away from their father. Social Services need a better understanding of domestic violence and a more supportive approach. Women at risk of homelessness just need somewhere safe quickly- experiencing violence and other issues such as alcohol use, then being on the streets makes you very vulnerable. Difficulties accessing benefits can make the situation much harder, for instance if you change address or move borough you can lose out on payments. The changes to the benefits system are likely to make this harder. I am looking at move on options at the moment and would like my own flat so that I can help with childcare for my granddaughter. It is frustrating that it is so difficult to access housing when I see homes empty and boarded up everywhere I go. I am going to Skills for Employment Training on Tuesdays including an IT class. I think this is a great way to help women move on from homelessness, and gets them away from the feelings of isolation, and the routine of being in a project."
Reply To: Housing and homelessness – services for women with complex needs