How The Nelson Trust is changing women's lives in Somerset

The Nelson Trust team pictured outside their offices

For women in Somerset facing complex challenges, The Nelson Trust offers a vital lifeline. 

Since establishing Somerset’s first Women’s Centre in Bridgwater in 2018, the charity has supported hundreds of women affected by trauma, substance use and involvement in the criminal justice system. 

We were among the first funders to support this work through the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Community Fund, helping to establish the centre and enable it to grow. Since then, we’ve awarded a further 27 grants from the HPC Community Fund and other funding programmes, bringing total funding to over £800,000, including emergency support during the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

We spoke to Christina Line, CEO at The Nelson Trust. She explains how the funding has helped transform the future of hundreds of women in Somerset.  

“The women we support often have multiple and complex needs. These might include unsuitable accommodation, domestic abuse, substance use, mental health challenges, unemployment, limited education, or involvement in the criminal justice system,” she says. 

“Regardless of how a woman comes to us, she is allocated a dedicated key worker who works with her collaboratively to identify what support she needs and when.” 

The women’s centres are designed as safe one-stop shops. Partner organisations are brought into the centre, so women don’t have to travel across the county or repeatedly retell their story.  

A lifeline for women in the community 

We asked for real examples of ways the centre has played an important part in an individual’s life.  

“An example that stands out is a woman who came to us in crisis. She was struggling with drug and alcohol use, at risk of having her children taken into care, and trapped in exploitative relationships,” says Christina. 

“We supported her onto substitute medication, engaged her with drug services, and helped her reach stability. She then went into residential rehab and, on returning to the community, regained custody of her children, moved away from damaging relationships, and came off social care involvement. She now works for the Trust and supports other women in similar situations.  

Sometimes the wins are smaller but equally important – securing safe accommodation, helping a woman recognise she doesn’t have to stay in an abusive relationship, preparing a CV, enrolling in college, or simply walking through the centre’s doors after a period of deep isolation.” 

The centre has grown significantly since 2018, starting with only one staff member to now a well-established centre filling a clear gap in services for women.  

“The funding has been transformational. It enabled us to engage with hundreds of women in very difficult circumstances and support them to make positive changes in their lives,” says Christina.                          

“It also allowed us to expand our services, establish the centre and gather evidence of local need.” 

Want to make a difference close to home? Support more local projects like The Nelson Trust today.