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 themselves, 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 visit 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. Several locations across the county also offer independent multi‑agency women’s drop‑ins that remain open to all.
Attending both launch events 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.”
Tracey Burley, Chief Executive of St Giles, said:
“At St Giles, we see the impact that joined-up, person-centred support can have on individuals facing multiple and complex challenges – especially when utilising trained professionals with lived experience of the issues facing the people they are working with. We know that when organisations work together, people are better able to access the right support at the right time, creating sustained benefits for both individuals and their communities.
“North Yorkshire’s Whole Systems Approach is an excellent example of this collaborative vision in action, and we are delighted to be contributing to its delivery through Flourish. We look forward to working alongside North Yorkshire Combined Authority, Changing Lives and Waythrough to help women access the support they need, overcome barriers, and build safer, healthier and more positive futures.”
Faye Sunter, Development Director from Changing Lives said:
“We are delighted to be part of Flourish and to formalise our partnership across York and North Yorkshire. This service brings together extensive local and specialist expertise to better respond to the needs of women across the region. Flourish represents an innovative and much-needed approach to support, and we are proud to have contributed to its development. We look forward to continuing to strengthen the service as it grows.”
Jenna Wing-Parker, Head of Services in the West & North Yorkshire at Waythrough, said:
“It has long been known that too many support services aren’t designed to fully meet the needs of women. Flourish represents a real opportunity for us as partners to meet more women where they are in life, break down the barriers that might stop them from seeking support, and make a positive difference to their lives.
“We’re excited to bring our trauma-informed and person-centred expertise in substance use and community diversion to this innovative partnership, as well as our experience in effectively reaching people in our large, rural communities like York and North Yorkshire.”
