In 2020, acknowledging its experience and expertise in the sector, we awarded £250,000 to Winner, Preston Road Women’s Centre, for the Women in Safe Homes (WISH) programme, a response to the shortage of quality move-on accommodation women’s organisations face across the UK. The sector has experienced major funding cuts in recent years, and has struggled to obtain the right type of finance and other support to access safe and secure housing.

There are two linked, distinct elements to WISH, comprising a catalytic grant award and a property fund. We provided £250,000 for the catalytic WISH programme, managed by Winner, which will in turn award grants to women centred organisations (WCOs) and enable them to explore the feasibility of managing their own leased properties and to implement their schemes. Grants can fund consultancy support from Winner and ‘on the ground’ capacity for WCOs to take forward their plans.

The Property Fund will acquire and lease dispersed accommodation to sector housing and service providers. Return to the ‘Social Investment’ section for more information).