Winter Nights

I am writing this just before pulling on my warm waterproof to join A Way Out’s evening outreach team.  Weekly our teams reach out to women on the streets of Stockton and Middlesbrough.  As we prepare on this November night it is dark, cold and wet and we know we will come across women who, right here in our Teesside towns, are exchanging sex just for a roof over their heads, a sofa to sleep on… worse still some will be sleeping rough, often to escape violence and abuse.

In order to address this issue A Way Out is one of 29 charities across England to receive funding from Homeless Link’s 'Ending Women's Homelessness grants programme, funded by the Government’s Tampon Tax Fund. The funding will enable us to access and secure safe accommodation for each woman, away from harm and abuse; help the women to maintain their tenancy and improve our ability to connect with homeless women. Homeless Link's Assistant Director of Practice and Partnerships, Tasmin Maitland commented “We are delighted to be able to award A Way Out a grant that will have a real impact on the support that women experiencing homelessness in Stockton and Middlesbrough receive, and ultimately contribute to ending women’s homelessness for good.”

This grant will make a valuable contribution towards our work… but there is still more to do.  You can help us to support these women and young girls, especially during these winter months by donating non perishable food, hats and gloves, or consider A Way Out as part of your Christmas gifting by texting AWAYOUT £2, £5, £10 (or an amount of your choice) to 70085.