WI Groups Unite to Support Path and Raise Awareness of Women’s Homelessness
Representatives from Women’s Institute (WI) groups from across Plymouth and the South Hams
Representatives from Women’s Institute (WI) groups from across Plymouth and the South Hams gathered in Plymouth city centre recently to show their support for local homelessness charity Path, with a particular focus on women’s homelessness.
Members met outside Path’s mural, There’s No Place Like Home, for a group photograph demonstrating their solidarity with people experiencing homelessness across the city. Following the photo opportunity, the WI members met with representatives from Path to learn more about homelessness in Plymouth, ask questions, and hear about the charity’s work supporting some of the city’s most vulnerable people.
As part of their support, following their Christmas Service, the groups donated £400 towards Path’s work. Some have also pledged their support by selecting Path as their Charity of the Year, whilst the National WI movement this year has a particular focus on women’s homelessness.
Path is a Plymouth-based charity that has been supporting people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity for more than 30 years. Working across the city, Path delivers a range of services designed to prevent homelessness, support people in crisis, and help individuals move towards long-term stability. Its work includes outreach for people sleeping rough, homelessness prevention, temporary accommodation, housing support, and specialist services for people facing complex challenges such as trauma, mental health issues, domestic abuse, and involvement with the criminal justice system. Each year, Path supports more than 1,700 people across Plymouth, helping individuals and families find safety, stability, and a place to call home.
Over the past year, women’s homelessness has become an increasing focus for Path. In July, the charity coordinated Plymouth’s first-ever Women’s Rough Sleeping Census as part of Solace’s national research initiative, aimed at capturing the lived experiences of women facing housing insecurity and homelessness. Plymouth joined more than 80 local authorities across England in gathering vital insight into women’s experiences of rough sleeping and hidden homelessness.
The findings revealed the complex and often hidden realities of women’s homelessness, including women fleeing domestic abuse and those living in insecure or unsafe environments. Between July and September, Path and partner organisations across the city identified 85 women sleeping rough in Plymouth, more than double the number previously recorded.
Edward Chapman, Fundraising and Engagement Officer at Path said: “We are really grateful for the support from local WI groups this year. We look forward to attending future events and talks across the region and meeting more of the wonderful members. Raising awareness of homelessness and what people can do to help is incredibly important, and this support helps us continue vital conversations about the reality of homelessness in our communities”
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