Help women to overcome health and social difficulties and reach their true potential in life.
WHiST was set up in 1986 to address health inequalities, gaps in services and support for women with mental and physical health problems. It has flourished into an integrated model of support services accessed by over 250 women a week. Offering individual and group support, training courses, volunteering opportunities advice and information that enables women to cope more effectively with complex and enduring circumstances and to move on in their lives.
Why the community needs usSouth tyneside is among the most deprived areas in the country in terms of health and low economy. We support women who are supporting dependants to help them to improve their circumstances broaden their skills and knowledge base and to manage their difficulties more effectively. Members report that they would not find services that had been so beneficial elsewhere. Women also report using health and social services less as a result of the support they have received from WHiST
Our impact on the communityFrom our evaluation we have evidence showing different benefits. 85% of users report increse in confidence, 78% feel less isolated, 67% are more motivated. Some women have turned their lives around, they never imagined they had the skills or ability but have become volunteers supporting other women and moving on in their lives. In the last year 45 members gained their first accredited qualification 2 women set up their own business. 72% report an improvement in their mental health.
