Sheffield Women's Aid

What Sheffield Women's Aid does

Sheffield Women's Aid is a registered UK charity (Charity Number 1138460, Company Number 7311689) established in 1974 within the Women's Liberation Movement, operating from Sheffield and serving women aged 16 and over and their children who are escaping domestic and sexual abuse. The organisation delivers emergency refuge accommodation across two buildings containing 36 self-contained flats, supplemented by 10 dispersed 2-3 bedroom properties provided through a partnership with Resonance, yielding 46 total safe spaces. Dedicated key worker support, a Children and Young Persons Practitioner service, and safety planning resources sit alongside the core accommodation offer, with partnership referrals into IDAS, City Hearts, Snowdrop, Ashiana Sheffield, and the Haven for specialist needs including trafficking, sexual violence, and child-specific support.

The technology stack is limited to cloud-based case management and IT infrastructure certified to Cyber Essentials, with all data stored in the UK, access controlled on a need-to-know basis, and UK GDPR / Data Protection Act 2018 compliance. No public APIs, software products, or AI/ML systems are disclosed; the digital presence is confined to a website, social channels, and an online donation platform. There is no proprietary technology moat beyond security and privacy posture appropriate for handling sensitive survivor data.

The business model is non-commercial: services are provided free to survivors, and revenue is generated through Sheffield City Council statutory commissioning for refuge and dispersed accommodation, individual and corporate donations (including Abbeydale Golf Club and Gripple Limited), and Gift Aid claims on eligible UK taxpayer donations. Distribution is referral-led via the Sheffield City Council Housing Pathway and partner agencies, with no direct-to-consumer sales motion, no paid product, and a single-country, single-region operating geography.

Name

Sheffield Women's Aid

Legal name

Sheffield Women's Aid

Website

https://sheffieldwomensaid.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sheffield Women's Aid is a Sheffield-based UK charity founded in 1974 that provides emergency refuge accommodation and trauma-informed support services to women and children escaping domestic abuse, operating 46 safe spaces across two refuges and dispersed properties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Abuse Support Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Domestic abuse refuge
• Women support services
• Safe accommodation housing
• Trauma-informed care
• Charity support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheffield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Donations: One-off and monthly donations from individuals and organisations. Donations fund activities including weekly breakfast clubs, raffle prizes for bingo sessions, gifts for therapeutic group sessions, and general refuge operations.
2. Government/Statutory Funding: Contracts with Sheffield City Council and potentially other statutory commissioners for providing domestic abuse accommodation and support services. Contributes to annual reports demonstrating impact to funders.
3. Gift Aid: Participates in UK Gift Aid scheme, claiming 25p per £1 donated from HMRC on eligible donations from UK taxpayers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sheffield Women's Aid is a women-only specialist charity providing emergency safe accommodation and trauma-informed support for women and children escaping domestic abuse. The core deliverable consists of refuge accommodation (36 self-contained flats across two sites), dispersed accommodation (10 individual properties), dedicated key worker support, and children/young persons practitioner services. All services are delivered free of charge to survivors, funded through statutory contracts with Sheffield City Council and voluntary donations.

Product overview

Sheffield Women's Aid provides a unified suite of domestic abuse support services centered on refuge accommodation. The core offerings are Refuge Accommodation (36 self-contained flats across two sites) and Dispersed Accommodation (10 properties via Resonance partnership), supplemented by dedicated key worker support, Children and Young Persons Practitioner services, and safety planning resources. The organization also operates engagement programs including volunteering and student placements, plus an online donations platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Refuge Accommodation Emergency safe accommodation in two refuge buildings consisting of 36 self-contained flats (16 in one refuge and 20 in the other) with private bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms ranging from single to 3-bed units for families. Both refuges stand in secluded gardens with areas to relax and opportunities for children to play. Provided free of charge to women aged 16+ and their dependent children escaping domestic abuse.
• Dispersed Accommodation 10 safe, individual 2-3 bedroom houses across Sheffield, provided in partnership with Resonance as an alternative to communal refuge living for women and families who may find shared refuge difficult. Accessed via direct contact (0114 236 6423) without requiring a housing pathway referral.
• Key Worker Support Dedicated key worker allocation providing personalised support to women and families, including assistance with welfare benefits, GP registration, health needs, housing access, legal support, immigration issues, and preparation for independent living.
• Children and Young Persons Practitioner Support Therapeutic play sessions, art activities, and support for children of all ages including establishment of routines, school enrolment, safeguarding meetings, and coordinating with external services such as Door 43 and Haven. Available to dependent children (of any age or gender) of women in refuge.
• Safety Planning Personal safety planning resources and tools to help survivors protect themselves and their children, plan for leaving abusive relationships, and increase safety within or outside the relationship. Available via the SWA website.
• Donations and Fundraising Online donation platform accepting one-off or monthly contributions via the website, with suggested donation amounts (£15, £25, £30, £60) and Gift Aid scheme participation for UK taxpayers, supporting SWA's refuge operations, breakfast clubs, raffle prizes, therapeutic group sessions, and general refuge activities.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Sheffield City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing pathway partner for domestic abuse accommodation referrals. Assesses initial housing needs and directs individuals to appropriate refuge services.
• IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialist agency partner providing emergency safe accommodation and support to male victims, non-binary and trans people. Together they assess individual needs and identify appropriate accommodation.
• ResonancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided support to enable SWA to offer 10 dispersed safe properties across Sheffield area for women with or without children.
• City HeartssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal agency providing additional support services to survivors with complex needs including trafficking.
• SnowdropsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal agency providing specialist support to survivors with complex needs.
• Archer ProjectsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal agency providing additional support services to survivors.
• Sheffield Domestic Abuse Forum (Vida Sheffield)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer strategic coordination body for domestic abuse efforts in Sheffield. Ambassador Maureen Storey previously served as Director.
• Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse CentresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner providing specialist support around sexual violence.
• HavensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner providing specialist support for children and young people affected by domestic abuse.
• Mums in NeedsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner supporting mothers dealing with coercive control after separation.
• Roshni SheffieldsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal resource centre for South Asian women.
• Ashiana SheffieldsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting BAMER women fleeing abuse or trafficking.
• SAYiTsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for LGBTQ+ young people.
• Shelter SheffieldsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHomelessness and housing rights support.
• Project 6supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrug and Alcohol Recovery Service for adults 18+.
• South Yorkshire PolicesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner50th anniversary partnership; SWA attends police inclusion events; collaborative work on safe reporting measures for survivors.
• Sheffield Hallam UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts student placements; speaker engagements on MA Journalism course about ethical reporting on domestic abuse.
• The University of SheffieldsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts journalism student placements and speaks at university events about domestic abuse reporting.
• Abbeydale Golf ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual donor of Easter Eggs for children in refuge; demonstrates community support from local organisations.
• Gripple LimitedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate donor who held fundraising ball and made donation to SWA.
• The WI (Women's Institute)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organisation with whom SWA Trustee Jules Storier worked on 'No More Violence Against Women and Girls' campaign.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Southall Black Sisters: Specialist Black and minoritized women charity providing domestic abuse, immigration, and welfare rights support. Comparable to SWA's BAMER-focused offering (which works alongside partners like Roshni and Ashiana), though operationally distinct in its advocacy-led rather than refuge-led model.
• Galop: UK charity supporting LGBT+ victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and hate crime. Comparable to SWA in specialist service delivery for a defined survivor population, though distinct in the LGBT+ focus that complements SWA's women-only model via IDAS referral pathways.
• Jewish Women's Aid: UK-wide specialist charity supporting Jewish women and children experiencing domestic abuse, including culturally sensitive refuge and counseling services. Comparable to SWA in trauma-informed refuge delivery but with a defined faith/community focus analogous to SWA's BAMER specialization.

Others

• Respect: UK membership organization for domestic abuse perpetrator interventions and related work. Complementary to SWA's survivor-focused model — both operate in the same domestic abuse ecosystem, with Respect addressing the perpetration side that often drives referrals into SWA refuges.

Regional players

• Scottish Women's Aid: Federation of Women's Aid organizations across Scotland, providing refuge, outreach, and policy advocacy. Directly comparable service model to SWA, with parallel governance structure and funding mix, but operates under Scottish statutory frameworks rather than English.
• Welsh Women's Aid: Federation representing Women's Aid organizations across Wales. Closely mirrors SWA's service portfolio (refuges, dispersed accommodation, prevention work, training) at a regional level under Welsh Government commissioning frameworks.

Direct peers

• IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services): Yorkshire-based charity delivering safe accommodation, outreach, and recovery support for all domestic abuse victims (including male and non-binary survivors). SWA's explicit strategic partner and most operationally similar peer in terms of refuge delivery, differing only in inclusion of male/non-binary service users.
• Ashiana Sheffield: Sheffield-based specialist service supporting BAMER women, girls, and their families fleeing abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. Directly comparable to SWA's BAMER-facing work (which it partners with), serving the same city and overlapping beneficiary population.
• Refuge: National UK charity providing refuge accommodation, helpline, and recovery services for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Most directly comparable to SWA in service model (refuges + outreach + specialist support for BAMER women), with similar statutory funding mix but national rather than Sheffield-only footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Women's Aid Federation of England: Umbrella federation for the Women's Aid movement in England, coordinating member organizations (including affiliated local charities like SWA). Directly comparable governance and mission, with broader policy, training, and data-publishing functions rather than direct refuge operation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SheffieldWomensAid
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sheffield-women-s-aid
• Instagraminstagram.com/sheffieldwomensaid
• Xx.com/WA_Sheffield

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sheffield Women's Aid