Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities, visited the Tameside Women’s Centre in Ashton-Under-Lyne yesterday (20 February 2025), to find out about how the centre supports women who face complex needs.
The centre is managed by Jigsaw Support, part of Jigsaw Homes Group, and aims to develop better health and wellbeing for women and their families in Tameside by working with local partners to provide a varied programme of sessions. It is also the centre for The Bridges Partnership, Tameside’s domestic abuse service. The support sessions offered at the centre range from childbirth and parenting skills to volunteering and employment opportunities.
The visit was organised by Greater Manchester Women’s Support Alliance (GMWSA), an organisation made up of nine women’s centres across Greater Manchester, including the Tameside Women’s Centre.
GMWSA delivers services on behalf of Greater Manchester Combined Authority including those women who are referred by the police or on probation to assist with the aim of ensuring they complete their community orders and licenses and to provide rapid access to the support they require to address unmet need and avoid re-offending.
Donna Kelly, Group Director of Jigsaw Support and Neighbourhoods and Tracy Sparkes, CEO of GMWSA, welcomed Kate Green to the centre where they met with some of the women who have accessed support and listened to their stories.
Taylor, who completed probation for her two-year suspended sentence, due to involvement with a partner who was selling drugs, said: “I have been supported by Anne, my keyworker, throughout. She recognised that I needed mental health support, and she helped me access lots of therapy to help me move on. I had been struggling to keep my place at university, but I eventually graduated with a 2:1 degree in Criminology and Counselling. This is a field I want to work in, and I’m currently working for Partners of Prisoners, supporting their Men’s Wellbeing hubs. I could not have done it without the regular support I had here.”
Kate Green said, “It was great to see and hear first-hand about the work of Tameside Women’s Centre, the Bridges Partnership, and the facilities and courses on offer at the centre. It was interesting to hear that women continue to access the services and support even when their probation supervision is finished, showing how their provision is tailored to those accessing their services.
“The Women’s Justice Board, which is chaired by Prisons and Probation Minister Lord Timpson, and of which I’m a member, is looking at how we can reduce the number of women in prison through the use of community alternatives that are more effective in reducing offending. The service in Tameside shows what can be achieved with the right support in the community.”
Donna Kelly said “It was good to show Kate the wide range of support we offer at the centre, a safe and gender responsive environment where women can access a range of services, and access support. This includes parenting, personal development, volunteering, and employment, surviving and recovering from domestic abuse, mental health issues, substance misuse, debt, housing, and physical and emotional wellbeing.”
Tracy Sparkes said “Our Women Centres play a crucial role in fostering empowerment, support, and community among women facing multiple disadvantages. They help individuals build resilience, gain independence, and improve their overall well-being. Annually we support around 3,000 women in Greater Manchester per year. With continued financial challenges facing decision makers, budgets continue to be under pressure. It is essential that the Women’s Centres continue to operate and continue to contribute to the betterment of our local communities.”
