Homelessness among women in Cambridge is a growing crisis, with many facing extreme hardship, violence, and social isolation. Wintercomfort created the Winter Women Service to provide a safe and supportive space for women who are homeless or vulnerably housed. This gender-specific initiative offers a holistic, trauma-informed range of services, including accommodation support, mental health counselling, life skills workshops, employability training, and access to essential items such as toiletries, sanitary products, and clothing.

Since its launch, Winter Women has become a vital lifeline, empowering women to regain stability, rebuild their confidence, and work towards independent living. This independent evaluation, conducted by The Charity Spark, provides an in-depth analysis of the programme’s impact, based on service user feedback, staff insights, and programme data collected.

The findings of the evaluation highlight the profound difference Winter Women has made in the lives of its participants. Over the past year, the programme has supported 167 women, providing crucial assistance with housing, mental wellbeing, peer support and confidence building. Many women report feeling safer, more confident, and better equipped to navigate the challenges of everyday life, including securing stable accommodation and gaining employment. The report also identifies key areas for development, including expanding our outreach work and increasing peer-led activities. By sharing these insights, we aim to continue shaping this critical service into a programme that meets the evolving needs of homeless and vulnerably housed women, ensuring that every woman who seeks support finds a welcoming, safe, and empowering space to rebuild her life.

You can read the full report here