In August 2024, Brighter Futures was informed that funding for Orchid Women’s Services had come to an end due to a change in strategy by the funding foundation. While this was a significant loss for the vulnerable women in Stoke-on-Trent, Brighter Futures and Stoke-on-Trent City Council recognised the crucial need to continue providing this vital support and worked closely to ensure that essential services remained open.
In response, Brighter Futures relocated Orchid Women’s Services to the Observatory on Bucknall Old Road, where it operates a drop-in service every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9:00am to 1:30pm. Women can visit without a referral to access holistic support for a range of issues, including homelessness, sexual health, healthcare, and substance misuse.
The partnership acknowledge that provision for vulnerable women needs to go one step further so collaborated to open Orchid Sanctuary – a Winter Night Shelter for women. This shelter opens on Wednesday 11th December and provides four emergency beds for women who are homeless or at risk, offering them a safe place to stay while they take their first steps toward independence (bed spaces are limited).
Alongside Orchid Sanctuary, Brighter Futures and Stoke-on-Trent City Council continue their work to support vulnerable women, including rough sleepers and sex workers. Through their joint ACEs programme (Assertive Contact and Engagement), they provide outreach services to the most entrenched rough sleepers, offering intensive support to women who have faced long-term homelessness. This initiative is a key part of the Council’s strategy to reduce rough sleeping and homelessness in the city.
In addition, Brighter Futures opened Orchid House in September 2024 – a 5-bed, female-only supported accommodation facility. This new facility offers a safe and welcoming home for women, providing tailored support through the Housing Sustainment team and Orchid Women’s Services. Through this collaboration, residents can access both practical and emotional support while maintaining a stable home. Additionally, the funding of a Caseworker, and a female-only Sustainment Worker, ensures that women within the Housing Services receive wraparound support that they need.
With the ongoing support of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Brighter Futures, Orchid Women’s Services remains dedicated to helping women across the city to overcome homelessness, exploitation, and abuse, offering them the support they need to build a safer and more stable future.
Leighanne Boast, Team Leader for Orchid Women’s Services said:
“We’re so pleased to have already filled all the bed spaces at Orchid Sanctuary. This kind of service has been needed for years, and we’re glad to be in a position to provide it. We’ll keep working closely with partners across the city to ensure we’re advocating for our customers and making sure we continue to support them”.
Daniel Baker, Brighter Futures’ Director of Operations, said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be able to expand our offer for vulnerable women in Stoke-On-Trent and continue our partnership with Stoke Council. Orchid Sanctuary, Orchid House, and Orchid Women’s Outreach Services now provides a longer-term housing pathway for vulnerable women who can access intensive support that this tailored to their needs, to help them leave the streets, stay off them, and work towards securing a home of their own.”
Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “Our dedicated teams work extremely hard to support our city’s most vulnerable residents. Over the last 12 months, we have seen a big increase in the number of people approaching us for support and, by collaborating with partners such as Brighter Futures, we can continue to deliver a wide range of services to support people with homelessness, debt advice and domestic abuse.”
