Services for Women

We offer a number of services that specifically support women. Find out more about these below and contact us for more information.

Pause

A team of skilled practitioners are now working across Dorset to support women who have experienced, or are at risk of, repeat removals of children from their care. In January 2023 BCHA was successful in its application to roll out the county’s first Pause Practice. 

Pause is a national charity which assists women who have had children repeatedly removed from their care to engage in an 18-month programme of support.  Women who choose to take up the program take a "pause" in pregnancy aided by long term reversible contraceptive which gives them an opportunity to take control of their lives, and identify personal goals they are supported to achieve. 

The program aims to break transgenerational cycles and supports vulnerable women to develop a sense of self-worth with significant improvements to substance misuse, domestic abuse and mental health, as well as improving contact with children and gaining access to services. 

Pause – Creating Space for Change

For more details, watch this animation or contact Rachel Young, 01202 612470.

About Pause from Pause on Vimeo.

Respite Rooms

Our Respite Rooms service provides short stay accommodation for single sex female rough sleepers who have experienced, or are at risk of, violence, abuse, trafficking or exploitation. Respite Rooms provide 8 bed spaces for women across Bournemouth for up to 6 weeks. Women are referred to us from BCP Council if they have been involved in street-based activity and have experienced abuse and exploitation. We also provide accommodation to those who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF).

While staying at Respite Rooms, women are offered intensive trauma informed, practical and emotional support. The multi-disciplinary approach provides a dedicated mental health worker, drug and alcohol services, housing and benefit advisors, police and probation support.