Who we are and what we do….
Since its establishment in 1985, Greenway Women’s Centre has been committed to providing vital services to meet the needs of women within the local community and beyond.
Greenway Women’s Centre exists to provide women within the Cregagh Estate, Castlereagh Borough and Greater Belfast area with positive opportunities for development by breaking down the barriers which prevent women’s full participation in society.
Greenway Women’s Centre is situated in the Cregagh Estate in East Belfast. The area is ranked 241 of 890 (27%) on the NI Multiple Deprivation Measure 2017 (NINIS, 2019). Whilst the area no longer falls within the top 25% as in previous years, it is surrounded by pockets of deprivation, such as Woodstock 2 which is ranked 128 MDM (14.3%) and The Mount which is ranked 64 MDM (7%).
Within an area of major social and economic deprivation, the needs of the local community include provisions for education, training, childcare, advice, developing confidence and addressing issues of health and the environment.
Many local women are lone parents who are unable to afford childcare costs whilst training or developing their skills and so remain in the benefit trap. The New Targeting Social Need (New TSN) anti poverty strategy recognises that the bottom 30% of income distribution is over represented by high risk vulnerable groups, one of which is lone parents, 92% of which are women. The New TSN also highlights the connection between inequalities associated with gender and child poverty, as 95% of parents in receipt of key benefits are women.
Greenway Women’s Centre works closely with ‘hard to reach’ groups, women who would not otherwise access the services provided, and a large percentage of women journey through services, dependent on individual needs.
Greenway Women’s Centre is a safe, secure environment in which women can learn and grow through social interaction, education and personal development.
Greenway Women’s Centre provides a range of childcare, training and development, volunteering and support services that are easily accessible to women. This includes effective signposting to relevant agencies if required, such as Women’s Aid.
Greenway Women’s Centre is a recognised Safe Place for anyone affected by Domestic Violence.