On Monday 22nd May, the Women’s Homelessness Action Group (WHAG) were invited to attend a ‘Just Lunch’ event with the Cambridge University Just Love Society. Members spoke about the work of the group and their vision for an overnight place of safety in the city, called the Haven.
It was fantastic to meet students who had lots of interesting and engaging questions about the work the WHAG does and how to get involved. The meeting discussed how government policy had changed too slowly, and why there’s little support for women who are largely ‘hidden homeless’.
Members highlighted a common example of women’s homelessness where a woman with children who is experiencing domestic abuse may be forced to choose between staying in a home that isn’t safe or putting herself and her children in a dangerous situation by leaving. For women in similar situations in Cambridge, there is further information about this here: https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/advice-for-people-affected-by-domestic-abuse.
WHAG explained their vision for the Haven, and why a drop-in facility for women is essential at nighttime, when they are most vulnerable and looked forward to continuing to work with Just Love in Cambridge, who have been consistently supportive of It Takes a City.