This event will explore what can be learned from how Christian charities provide support to women experiencing multiple and severe disadvantages.

The experience of abuse, trauma, mental health problems, homelessness, isolation, poverty, and sexual exploitation, is a reality for many women. These experiences, and the women who live through them, commonly go unrecognised, and the support available is often limited. When women are unable to access effective, trustworthy, and reliable helping services, there can be fatal consequences.

This event will mark the launch of a new report, written on behalf of Theos, exploring what can be learned from how Christian charities provide support to women experiencing multiple and severe disadvantages. The in–depth study, undertaken during the pandemic, showcases the distinctive approach of staff and volunteers from six Christian organisations and how they made the women they worked with truly visible.

The speakers will draw on four clear themes which emerged from the research: the trusting relationships needed to support women experiencing multiple and severe disadvantage; the way the faith and values of staff and volunteers informed the way they met women; the utilisation of prayer by some in their work; and the tensions and opportunities found in resourcing helping services.

This report is a stepping off point, drawing attention to what is so often hidden and ignored. Join us for this lunchtime Zoom webinar on Wednesday 13th April at 12.30pm to hear how faith can inform the way support for women is provided and experienced.

Chaired by Theos Director Chine McDonald. Speakers include report author Kathryn Hodges.

Theos is extremely grateful to the authors for their work in completing this research, and especially their tenacity in adapting the research to the limitations inevitably imposed by the pandemic.

We also want to thank the funders of the project, Porticus, without whose generous support the work would simply not have been possible.

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