Women’s charity relaunches as it expands across region

The Sheffield YWCA has now changed its name to YWCA Yorkshire. 

The charity said this was to reflect its expanding range of supported accommodation projects, family support services and specialist programmes it was involved in across South Yorkshire.

The charity has been working closely with victims and potential witnesses involved in Operation Clover – the police investigation into the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal.

Tracy Guest, YWCA chief executive, said: “Over the last year we have been working with a consortium of voluntary sector organisations in Rotherham to provide counselling, one-to-one and family support to some of the victims of child sexual exploitation.

“We have been supporting not only those women who have been giving evidence at the trial but also other victims considering coming forward.”

Speaking about the relaunch Tracy added: “This is a very exciting time for the charity.

“Sheffield YWCA has been providing services to women, children and families locally since the 1940s. 

“From our first women’s hostel in the city, we have continued to develop our expertise throughout Yorkshire and now offer safe accommodation, advice, support, life-skills, parenting training and mediation to hundreds of families in the region.

“We believe that young women, children and families deserve the very best opportunity to thrive, prosper and reach their full potential as resilient and confident individuals, skilled and competent parents and fully informed and engaged community members.”

YWCA Yorkshire runs supported accommodation projects for vulnerable young women and troubled families in Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster.

The charity also delivers specialist programmes and outreach work helping women affected by a range of issues including mental health issues, substance and alcohol misuse, leaving care, parenthood and child sexual exploitation.

YWCA Yorkshire has also launched a training company, offering its accredited lifestyle programmes and staff training courses to other organisations.