Women in York and North Yorkshire are set to benefit from a new community-led support service designed to help them grow, recover and thrive. The Women’s Alliance programme, Flourish, has been shaped by women, reflecting its focus on empowerment, connection and positive change.
The service received almost £400,000 in funding from the Combined Authority and will be delivered in partnership by St Giles, Changing Lives, and Waythrough.
Developed through the local Whole System Approach network, which brings together partners across York and North Yorkshire with expertise in early intervention, prevention, diversion and women‑specific support. The new service aims to deliver responsive, trauma‑informed support that meets women’s individual needs and improves access to services and opportunities.
The Women’s Alliance welcomes female professionals to co‑locate across both Women’s Centres in York and Scarborough, as well as Liberty Links rural projects and independent multi‑agency drop‑in spaces. Professionals wishing to arrange co‑location or room bookings can do so via the service’s dedicated mobile number or email address.
Women seeking support may be directed to the Women’s Centres, which provide drop‑in sessions and brief intervention support. Those living outside York or Scarborough can self‑refer using the service contact details.
Jo Coles, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime said:“Thank you to the amazing network of partners from across York and North Yorkshire who are already doing so much to support the delivery of a whole system approach to tackling violence against women and girls; putting the needs of victims and survivors at the centre.“David Skaith the Mayor and I are committed to keeping people safe in our region. And it’s great to have a true partnership approach to this work in our new women’s alliance service, Flourish that will deliver support from our two women’s centres as well as from mobile vans and outreach sessions in other towns across the county too.”
Accessing support
Flourish provides holistic, person‑centred support for women facing multiple challenges, offering one‑to‑one interventions and group work to help individuals progress at their own pace. Support can be accessed via drop‑ins or by contacting the service by phone, text or email. Professionals, including police and partner agencies, can refer using a simple referral form.
E: [email protected] T: 07471 922 510
Image L-R: Tracey Burley – St Giles Trust, Jan Mallaburn – Changing Lives, Kelly Broadbent – St Giles Trust, Jenna Wing – Waythrough, Jo Coles – York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, Sophia Ritzema – St Giles Trust, Amanda Wilkinson – Head of Partnerships and Commissioning, Policing, Fire and Crime, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.