Chapter 4: Ensure a healthy standard of living for all

'Tyneside Women's Health (TWH) is a women only mental health service operating across Tyneside. We provide mental health support in women only spaces such as drop-in sessions, creative groups, mental health courses, support groups, and counselling. My role is the Chief Executive Officer, so I oversee all of the services and general running of the organisation.'

When asked about inequalities women who access the service face, Elaine explained: 'The women we support face various issues. We supported an annual caseload of 560 women in 2021/22, and 40% of these women report being a victim of abuse'. 

Of the 177 new women who accessed TWH in 2021/22 the following issues were reported at the point of initial assessment.

49%  reported being a victim of domestic abuse / 34% felt isolated reported debt / 25% financial issues

The following mental health needs were also reported:
87% felt anxious
74% felt depressed
66% felt stressed
74% felt low in confidence
30% reported self-harming as a coping strategy
53% reported having regular suicidal feelings
21% reported making a suicide attempt within the previous 12 months

'All of the women we support have some level of mental health need, and a significant proportion also have a physical health condition or disability. The majority of women are claiming a sickness related benefit. Due to the cost-of-living crisis, women also report difficulties in paying bills, heating their homes, and worry about the future. There are many other barriers for women that prevent them from engaging in interventions such as travel, childcare and other caring responsibilities.' 

We asked Elaine how the work at Tyneside Women's Health strives to tackle these inequalities:
'We offer spaces for women to come and access support from staff and other service users. Some of our services are light touch such as weekly drop-in sessions where women can attend the Centre, have a cuppa and be among others. We also offer creative and therapeutic activities such as a singing group and a reading group to improve general wellbeing.' 

'We provide more targeted mental health programmes to help women create personal safety plans who are feeling suicidal, as well as specific courses focussed on mental health themes such as anxiety management, coping with depression and confidence building. Support groups for older women and younger women are also available where women can access peer support and brief interventions around mental health and an opportunity to share and talk about any issues as they arise.'

'One of our key support groups is for women affected by domestic abuse, the group is open ended and helps women to recover from the trauma they have experienced.'

'Women tell us that coming to Tyneside Women's Health helps them feel less isolated and helps them to improve their mental health: 'It has been a life saver for me, the care support and knowing I could access this at any time although not needed it was there and that was an enormous support. Being alongside other women and being accepted for who I was in my darkest time, celebrating with developing friendships in my journey and feeling I can give care, value and motivation to other women. Finding myself emotionally and mentally more balanced and now in a position to make good decisions for me.'

'The service has enabled me to meet other women within the area. I feel less isolated being in contact with women who have health issues and I am comfortable talking through my own health problems knowing I am not alone. I feel happier knowing there is always a drop-in to attend when I am able.'

'I feel really comfortable in a women only setting and group. I've found I've really been able to fully open up and express myself and grow as a person. I've felt supported, safe and welcomed.'

Finally, when asked what more needs to be done in this area to address these inequalities, Elaine states:
'In general, women feel the brunt of cost of living rises as they are often the home maker and in charge of family budgets. This impacts negatively on women. More generalised support is required. There are long waiting lists for mental health support through the NHS and eligibility criteria for services is unclear. Often charitable organisations continue to support people while they wait for more specialist support with no additional funding. Referrals into voluntary sector services have increased and these continue to be managed without an increase in resource.'

'We are exploring other ways to support women, such as introducing more rolling based programmes that women can join at any point, and developing new service areas such as support groups for women with neuro diverse issues, women experiencing menopause, and women with young children.'

'A key area for development is the ongoing support available for women when children are subject to a child protection plan due to domestic abuse in the family home. Voluntary sector organisations and statutory services need to work better together to improve outcomes for these women and their children and ensure services are supportive rather than punitive for victims, particularly when there is no longer contact with perpetrators.

Chapter 5: Create and develop sustainable places and communities