The Nelson Trust evaluation of CRF grant

Interview between community reporters Dr Natalie Cozier and Deborah Vittori Garman, and Helen Emmings from the Nelson Trust.

Take a compliment sheet stuck to the toilet mirror.

Smart and welcoming lobby area with velvet arm chairs and sofas

Painted mural of a tree with pink and fuchsia blossom against a white background.

Reception area. A warm and welcoming front desk with heart cut outs as decorations across the front.

A welcoming and confidential space for therapy sessions or small meetings with a white seat and table. There is a motivational message on the table: "Believe and the impossible becomes possible"..

Crocheted bees adorn a side table. Something to hold when talking about challenging things.

An art sculpture of a mannequin adorned with a blue, yellow and purple cloth, paper flowers and messages attached to the belt, created by women using the centre representing a Trauma Informed approach.

An open space with a long board room style table and arts and crafts materials stored along the wall.

Clothes rail with women's clothing items.

Helen standing in the staff wing of the women's centre, next to a rail of clothes donated to the centre for use by clients.

Art work on display against an internal glass panel. Behind the window is office space for the staff of the Women's Centre.

Small cosy room with white walls, dark blue carpet, leather chairs around a table with fidget toys. On the walls are bright paintings created by staff and users of the centre.

Two women are standing in one of the new meeting/therapy rooms.

A blond woman is sitting on a leather armchair facing the camera and smiling.

Community Reporters Dr Natalie Cozier and Deborah Vittori Garman met with Helen Emmings of the Nelson Trust to discuss the impact the Community Resilience Fund capital grant, has had on service delivery and general resilience building.

During this interview, Helen Emmings walked Natalie and Deborah around the Bristol Women's Centre, whilst discussing the positive impact this new space has had on supporting The Nelson Trust client base in Bristol.

Background on the organisation:

The Bristol Women's Centre is one of the Nelson Trust’s Women’s Community Services which operate across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, Bristol, and Wales, with a unique Women’s Centre located inside HMP Eastwood Park. These services are trauma-informed, gender-responsive, and provide holistic support to women and their families.

Their strength-based, collaborative approach treats women as individuals with strengths, interests, personal experiences, and goals, rather than just focusing on needs and risks. Each client is assigned a Keyworker who collaborates with them to develop a personalised support plan through one-on-one sessions, group work, and access to specialist services.

The Trust’s services are supported by comprehensive methodologies, including assertive outreach, women’s centres, advocacy, custody liaison and diversion, prison in-reach, and residential treatment. Women's Centres offer a full range of activities throughout the week, such as accredited educational courses, workshops, drop-ins, and groups focused on well-being, life skills, and creative activities. Many centres also provide onsite facilities like crèches, showers, washing machines, gardens, and cafes for clients to use.