A message from Stephanie Haines, Charity Board Trustee & Homeless Women’s Advocate 

My role as Manager at Framework HA providing support to rough sleepers in Sheffield has helped me bring insight, compassion and strategic direction to my volunteer position as Charity Trustee at YWCA Yorkshire. 

Through housing and wrap-around support projects in Doncaster, Sheffield and Rotherham, YWCA Yorkshire make a tangible difference to vulnerable women. They often work with people who are at crisis point and empower them to build better futures. I am really proud to be part of the great work they achieve. 

As a Board Member, I’m able to share my knowledge of the homelessness landscape in South Yorkshire with YWCA Yorkshire and help join up the work of other services supporting homeless people in Sheffield.  

Homelessness is at an all-time high in the UK at the moment, and South Yorkshire is no exception. As homelessness increases, access to accommodation and support services for vulnerable people, in particular women, is becoming increasingly essential.  

Women are especially vulnerable sleeping on the streets. In my day job, we only tend to see men rough sleeping on the street as women are more hidden away, walking around all night, in buildings which are open 24/7 or choosing to stay in dangerous situations because it offers a roof over their heads. Because they’re not as visible, it’s easy to assume that there are hardly any women who are rough sleeping or homeless, but this is not the case.  

This year I am leading the Women’s Census in Sheffield which takes place the week commencing 23rd September. It aims to get a better grasp on the numbers of women rough sleeping. I am passionate about shedding light on this area of homelessness and helping to improve services for women in this sector. This is one of the many reasons I’m so proud to be a Charity Trustee for YWCA Yorkshire.