YWCA Yorkshire is marking 20 years of partnership success in Doncaster. The charity was appointed to Green Gables by Council Leaders in 2004 with a remit to support young women and their children to thrive in South Yorkshire.
Green Gables is a purpose-built core building of eight self-contained apartments. The first women and their children moved into Green Gables in 2004.
YWCA Yorkshire has managed, strengthened and grown the Green Gables service over the last two decades; demonstrating the value and impact achieved for communities through long-term joined-up provision and partnerships.
In 2011, the local council scaled up the contract to include specialist support for a further 75 families across the city. In 2014, YWCA Yorkshire secured funding to expand its team further, becoming key delivery partners in the Stronger Families Programme. Working with vulnerable women, children and families, Green Gables partnered with community groups and services spanning health, education, criminal justice, housing and social care, to build family resilience.
Over two decades, Project Workers have supported and housed hundreds of people grappling with homelessness, mental health, domestic abuse and financial hardship.
Today, the charity partners with Together Housing to provide safe accommodation and wrap-around support for young women with children in five houses and eight self-contained apartments. Specialist Project Workers deliver bespoke mental health and wellbeing support, tenancy, parenting and relationship programmes and pathways to skills training, qualifications and employment. As well as the housing provision, the expert team supports a further 75 families locally through an outreach programme.
Jessica Pell-Taylor moved to Green Gables with her baby when she was just 18. Explaining the impact Green Gables has had on the trajectory of her life, Jessica said:
“It’s very emotional to think back to that time and everything I’ve achieved since. Green Gables gave me sanctuary and hope when I really needed it. I was at a low point when I arrived with my baby but over the months, with help from my Project Worker, I was able to piece myself back together. I grew stronger, healthier and happier and I was more determined than ever to make something of myself. I went back to college whilst there and since then have re-trained and worked as an electrician.
“Now I’m halfway through a degree and in a couple of years, I’ll be a qualified Counsellor fulfilling a life-long passion to support other people through difficult times.”
Tracy Gollins, Chief Executive of YWCA Yorkshire, said:
“Our families have benefited greatly from the longevity and continuity of the Green Gables contract.
“This has enabled us to invest in long-term partnerships and uphold commitments to people we support and other professionals.
“We are deeply embedded within the communities we serve and have developed inclusive, compassionate and respectful relationships over two decades. It’s been our privilege over the last 20 years to support the resilience and progress of women, children and families and I’d personally like to thank our partners, staff team and volunteers for the central part they’ve played in so many success stories.”
YWCA Yorkshire supports more than 250 women, children and families to build better futures in Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham. The charity works with people through three housing projects and out in the community. In Sheffield, the focus is supporting young, homeless, single women and their children. In Rotherham and Doncaster, the support extends to a wider range of families raising children.
