The Preston Road Women’s Centre is 25 this year – representing 25 years of standing up for thousands of vulnerable women, and supporting them on their pathway back to empowerment, agency, and self sufficiency.

The anniversary was marked by a special event that took place in October of this year. The charity invited volunteers, advocacy groups and other interested parties to an open day where milestones were celebrated, lunch was enjoyed, and complimentary pampering treatments were indulged!

25 years of supporting vulnerable women in Hull and beyond

The event was an opportunity to appreciate the incredible journey and growth the organisation has experienced since its inception 25 years ago, working from a couple of prefabricated buildings which were way past their sell by date even before Winner moved in.

“We were there for 17 years, and two weeks before we were due to move out the front door finally gave up the ghost,” said Lisa Hilder. “We were having to use the back door for those last couple of weeks. Our move into our new purpose built women’s centre couldn’t come quick enough!”

From the start, the fundamental ethos of Winner has been to create a safe space where women can speak up, with a ‘can do’ environment that encourages women to grow personally, professionally, however they want. From its early focus of offering a refuge for local women escaping domestic abuse, Winner has become a nationwide tour de force in the women’s sector, establishing services and advisory bodies to women not just in Hull, but across England and Wales.

During the celebratory presentation, representatives from each Winner service stood up and reminded everyone of the impact that their work has had on thousands of women so far, and continue to do so every single day.

Women in Trades

The most recent addition to the Winner range of services is WITCHES (Women in Trades Changing Experiences for Sisters). This all women team of trades operatives has been established specifically to alleviate the trauma often experienced by survivors of domestic abuse struggling with having men in their spaces to do essential maintenance work. Research shows that women operatives still only make up about 2-3% of the traditional trades, so Winner collaborated with Hattie Hasan MBE and Mica May of Stopcocks Plumbing to create WITCHES. It’s still early days, but the positive impact it is having on improving the maintenance services across Winner’s own housing stock is already being felt.

The women who attended the anniversary event also heard from Winner’s other services. These include:

The charity shop – a core Winner service

The Winner charity shop has been a core amenity for both the local community and for women using the centre’s domestic abuse services from the very beginning, as well as being a constant source of income. With clothes, household items, toys and books being offered at rock bottom prices, it has proved to be a lifeline for many. Today the shop is as crucial as ever, and our thanks extend as ever to the Winner volunteers who keep this essential service operational day in day out.

The nursery – a safe space for children

The Winner nursery has long been a vital part of the centre. Not only does it provide much needed childcare for local women struggling with balancing childcare with working, but it is also a godsend for those women using the centre’s services, giving them space and time to rebuild their lives either when talking with our domestic abuse advisers, going to one of our training courses, or consulting with one of our Affordable Justice solicitors.

Over the years the nursery has built up an extensive knowledge base around helping children coming from traumatic situations. The children often arrive feeling unsafe, unsure and reserved – by giving them this safe space, the children have the opportunity to be children again.

Young Women’s services – supporting a new generation of strong, empowered women

Our award winning Young Women’s service has nurtured generation after generation of strong, confident, empowered women who might otherwise have succumbed to the toxic fallout of domestic abuse. Here are just a few comments from some of the girls who come to our youth club.

“They listen to us.”

“They believe in us.”

“We have a say. Our opinions matter.”

“They give us options.”

“We don’t get bullied here.”

“It makes me feel calm and smiley when life is hard.”

Need we say more!

Training and education – increasing empowerment through knowledge

Over 1000 women have been through our training courses over the years. Winner became a recognised National Open College Network training centre offering accredited courses to make sure that the women who attended could build their own portfolio of qualifications, giving them essential workplace skills, and consequently build self sufficiency.

Volunteers – the backbone of Winner

From the very first days of Preston Road Women’s Centre, our volunteers have been the lifeblood that keep us going. Many women who first come to us in need of our domestic abuse services, go on to volunteer for us. All at Winner appreciate the commitment and dedication of these women to our cause.

Affordable Justice – specialised advocacy for vulnerable women

The ten year anniversary of Affordable Justice is approaching in 2026. Since its inception in 2016 after the swathing cuts to legal aid impacting women who were suffering from domestic and economic abuse, over 1450 women have been supported.

The work of Affordable Justice does not just cover the Hull area, but the whole of England and Wales, and has created a viable blueprint to establish similar centres across the country – there is still much work to be done!

Domestic abuse support

Unfortunately, the incidences of domestic abuse perpetrated on women across the UK does not seem to be lessening. The need for services offered by Winner is as crucial today as it was 25 years ago. As governments come and go, the underlying causes that lead to domestic abuse – the assertion of power and control in the form of male violence against women and girls – remain. Winner is committed to providing grassroots support to women in Hull, and using its experience and knowledge to help other women’s organisations throughout the UK.

Our housing service, for example, has formed the basis of a social investment loan structure that has raised £120 million to help house vulnerable groups across the UK. Winner is proactive in further developing similar social investment programmes.

25 years are done. Here’s to the next 25 years!