What is The Haven?

The Haven is our drop-in space for homeless, marginally housed and at-risk women in the centre of Cambridge. Open on Mondays (2pm-midnight) and Thursday night through to Friday morning (8pm-10:30am), the project offers hot food and drinks, a shower, clothes washing and a safe place to rest, staffed by an experienced support worker and security guard. Friday mornings (8-10.30am) offer similar services with the support of other local organisations.

From 12th August, The Haven will be open every Wednesday (2-5:30pm), offering a range of activities, off-site visits and awareness sessions with partner agencies. The aim of this pilot, to run until March 2027, is to build individual confidence, connectedness and sense of community for women using the service.

Why a Women Only Service?

Women make up the majority of the ‘hidden homeless’ population meaning their needs are overwhelmingly unmet in most homeless services nationally. Women’s needs are also much more complex and different to men’s.

National data shows that 1 in 5 women who have experienced violence become homeless, compared to just 1% of women who have not experienced violence. Being a victim of violence is a traumatic experience, and women can develop a range of support needs in addition to their homelessness.

One woman expressed how “coming here is the highlight of my week”.

A welcome mat in the doorway of the lounge at the Haven
A white, moulded fire surround against a lilac wall. Three framed posters of coloured abstract designs are above the mantlepiece
A comfortable old armchair with two large cushion sits under a floral painting on a cream wall. To the right is a three seat, black sofa with two cherry coloured cushions. A small bookcase in the background and an open door to the far right
A white, moulded fire surround against a lilac wall. Three framed posters of coloured abstract designs are above the mantlepiece. In front of the fireplace is an old, comfortable armchair. To the right is a table, draped with a white tablecloth. A small TV set sits on top.
Two presents on a brown leather sofa at the Haven

Find Out More

Haven Stories 

  • Kate

    ‘Kate’ came to the Haven, our safe space for women in Cambridge city centre, in the summer 2025 due to mould in her flat (an ongoing issue unaddressed due to [...]

  • Row

    ‘Row’ accessed the Haven in October of 2025, after being referred by the City Council. She had made a disclosure of domestic abuse by her partner.   Because [...]

  • ‘F’ Story

    ‘F’ was living a very volatile street-based lifestyle, and her heavy drinking was having a severe impact on her health. As she began to engage with the service [...]

  • ‘C’ Story

    ‘C’ has been on and off rough sleeping in a tucked away site in the city for nearly two years and has struggled with poor mental health. As [...]

  • ‘B’ Story

    ‘B’ has been rough sleeping in the city for much of the last four years, only intermittently accepting accommodation offers and then often abandoning accommodation within a short [...]