Women who are sleeping rough often tell us that they feel unsafe in mixed-sex homelessness services and that they find women-only spaces really valuable.

This was the case for Sarah*.

She first visited The Connection’s women-only session on a cold, snowy Wednesday in January with a friend.

“We’d heard about the women’s morning and we were like ‘oh, this is amazing.’ The support, the atmosphere, all of it.”

Sarah has since been a regular at these sessions and says it’s been a huge help – she’s seen a doctor for the first time in years and met and made friends with other women in her situation.

The team at The Connection have also found her a place to stay in a hostel while we plan her future together.

Sarah says The Connection “kind of feels like an unofficial home, because it’s seeing me through this whole period. It’s cool to see the same people every day – staff and fellow rough sleepers.

And I think just knowing this will always be here feels reassuring amidst all the changes that happen as you’re trying to get back on your feet.”

Sarah has nothing but praise for The Connection staff, particularly Laurie who she describes as her MVP – “At every point Laurie’s been the one that has gone to bat for me and push things forward. I don’t think I would be on this trajectory to stability, let alone have the safety that I had, if it weren’t for how proactive Laurie has been.

The support here feels more personal than it’s felt at other places. I feel very fortunate that the Lord brought The Connection into my life, and it’s been like this non-stop domino effect – not only support, but community.”