Wearside Women in Need
Wearside Women in Need (WWIN) has been a cornerstone of domestic abuse support in the North East of England for over four decades. Founded in 1983 as Washington Women in Need, the charity was established by a determined group of women who had experienced or witnessed domestic abuse firsthand—survivors, grassroots activists, and community organisers who understood the urgent need for specialised support in their local area.
From its earliest days, WWIN operated as a community-led initiative with a bold vision: to provide safe spaces, advocacy, and comprehensive support for women and children affected by domestic abuse. What began as a grassroots development with the aim of establishing a women's centre quickly expanded into a region-wide service offering refuge, outreach, education, and systemic change.
Pioneering Access to Support
A major milestone came in 1988 with the opening of The Elms in Washington. These high street offices provided a public-facing site where survivors could access support, and where volunteers were trained—a radical concept at the time that set WWIN apart as a pioneering organisation. By 1992, Washington Women in Need had taken over management of the Sunderland Refuge Project, prompting a name change to Wearside Women in Need to reflect the broader geographical reach.
The following year, a new refuge in Washington further extended WWIN’s capacity. From 1994 to 1999, the charity launched several vital initiatives, including a young women’s project, move-on accommodation, a Homeless Action Programme, outreach services, and educational work with young people. These programmes signalled WWIN’s commitment to addressing the many dimensions of domestic abuse—from prevention to long-term recovery.
Innovation and Resilience
In 2000, WWIN launched a 24-hour free helpline and purchased the Sunderland Refuge, securing long-term sustainability for its emergency accommodation. The organisation also continued to advocate for broader systemic change. In 2006, WWIN published Whispers from the Top of the Stairs, a research project that foregrounded the often-ignored experiences of children living with domestic abuse. This work contributed to the recognition of children as victims in their own right—a principle formally embedded in the 2021 Domestic Abuse Act.
Despite facing funding cuts between 2007 and 2016, WWIN remained resilient, continuing to deliver safe accommodation, outreach, and support services to those in need.
National Recognition and Holistic Support
In 2018, WWIN was selected as one of three locations by Women’s Aid to pilot Change That Lasts, a forward-thinking national initiative funded by the National Lottery. The project aimed to transform service standards and delivery models across the UK. Building on this momentum, WWIN expanded its outreach and refuge teams in 2019, and partnered with My Sisters Place in Middlesbrough to offer dedicated counselling for survivors.
Recognising the increasing demand for refuge spaces, WWIN also began transforming an old building into self-contained flats—an approach that aligned with evolving best practices in trauma-informed accommodation.
Responding in Crisis and Growing Stronger
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, WWIN kept all of its services running—an extraordinary feat given the increased risks and isolation facing survivors during lockdowns. That same year, the charity launched a new Recovery Project, providing holistic support to survivors with multiple and intersecting needs.
In 2021, WWIN secured five years of funding from Comic Relief to develop Findaway, a project focused on empowering family, friends, and communities to play a role in supporting survivors. The modernisation of the old refuge building was completed, resulting in six high-quality self-contained flats for single women.
Securing the Future
By 2022, WWIN had been awarded a 5-to-7 year contract from Sunderland Council to lead domestic abuse services across Wearside. New strands of work included a specialist therapeutic service for children and young people, as well as a new Right Turn perpetrator programme. The charity also purchased a new office base in Sunderland to serve as its central hub.
In 2023, WWIN expanded its perpetrator intervention services to include early intervention and prevention strategies, high-harm perpetrator work, and the Advance programme in partnership with Wear Recovery, a substance misuse service. This development marked a growing commitment to addressing the root causes of abuse while maintaining survivor-centred care.
Looking Ahead
WWIN continues to evolve, driven by the same values that inspired its founders in 1983: solidarity, safety, and community-led support. With ambitious plans on the horizon, the charity remains committed to adapting its services to meet the changing needs of survivors—while staying true to its legacy as a pioneering force in the fight against domestic abuse.