Funded by the Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit and Redbridge Council, our Women’s Safety Coffee Mornings ran for a six-week period in late 2025. They came as part of a targeted response to growing concerns about women’s safety following a serious incident, with the aim of creating a safe and welcoming environment for those affected to meet, talk, share, and receive support.
Lily† first attended a Women’s Safety Coffee Morning at a time when many women were feeling unsettled and anxious. The community had recently been shaken by a serious incident involving the murder of a young girl in the area. The event had a deep impact on residents, and many women spoke openly about feeling unsafe in their neighbourhood, particularly during the evenings. Some shared that they had stopped going out alone, while others felt increasingly isolated in their own homes.
Lily’s experience highlights the value of creating safe, consistent spaces where women can connect, share concerns, and access support. The Women’s Safety Coffee Mornings have helped reduce isolation, build confidence, and strengthen community ties, demonstrating how simple, community-based support can make a meaningful difference.
Held weekly in a local coffee shop, the sessions offered tea, coffee and light snacks, as well as a calm environment to share concerns, learn about safety, and connect with others. For many women, it was the first time they felt able to speak honestly about how recent events had affected them.
When Lily attended her first session, she appeared nervous and quiet, with limited confidence in speaking English. She had recently moved to the area and felt disconnected from the local community. Staff gently encouraged her to attend when she could and supported her to build confidence through informal conversations and signposting to language support.
As Lily became more comfortable, she began to open up about difficulties at home and the emotional strain she was experiencing. She shared that her family was facing housing uncertainty and that managing day-to-day life had become overwhelming. Like other women in the group, she also spoke about the wider impact of the recent incident on her family. One woman, including Lily, shared that her child attended the same school as the girl who had died, and that her daughter had been deeply affected by what had happened.
Through ongoing engagement and gentle support, Lily became more confident in attending the sessions and taking part in conversations. Being part of the group helped her feel less alone and more able to cope with the challenges she was facing. She began to access advice, understand her options more clearly, and feel reassured that support was available.
The coffee mornings also helped strengthen the wider community. Women shared information, supported one another, and began forming informal peer networks. Volunteers from the local area came forward to help, showing a growing sense of trust and connection among those attending.
Lily’s experience highlights the value of creating safe, consistent spaces where women can connect, share concerns, and access support. The Women’s Safety Coffee Mornings have helped reduce isolation, build confidence, and strengthen community ties, demonstrating how simple, community-based support can make a meaningful difference.
These sessions give women the chance to talk openly in a space where they feel safe and listened to. Many arrive feeling anxious or isolated, but over time you can see their confidence grow.
Lily’s journey shows how important it is to have somewhere local where women know they will be supported.
Sunita Bhakar
Parent Carers Champion Support Worker