£3 million in new funding for women’s centres has been announced today – [Tuesday 19 August] alongside landmark new research from the University of Birmingham – as part of an innovative collaboration aiming to reduce women’s imprisonment and create lasting change in the criminal justice system.
The funding announcement coincides with the research from the University of Birmingham’s Women, Crime and Justice Research Group. This demonstrates the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA) – a long-form questionnaire used at women’s centres including Anawim – can accurately predict the risk of reoffending among women in the UK.
WRNA is the most comprehensive assessment tool – specifically for women involved in the criminal justice system – that is available. It was developed in the US and is now being used here in Birmingham as well as Cornwall, Gloucester, Greater Manchester, and Yorkshire. It references factors that drive criminal behaviour, including trauma and abuse, substance use, and financial struggles.
Having such an in-depth assessment means women may only have to tell their stories – and relive their trauma – once. Additionally, it enables us to provide personalised support for each woman – helping to tackle the underlying causes of crime – and supporting them to rebuild their lives and thrive. This kind of targeted funding and research highlights the importance of addressing the complex and often interconnected challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system.
Factors such as trauma, economic instability, and limited access to consistent care can have long-term effects on both physical and emotional well-being, making it essential to approach rehabilitation through a holistic lens. By using tools like the WRNA to better understand individual circumstances, support systems can move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and instead provide care that acknowledges each woman’s history and needs. This approach not only reduces the likelihood of reoffending but also creates space for rebuilding stability, improving health outcomes, and fostering a stronger sense of autonomy over time.
Within this broader framework of support, attention to women’s health becomes a key component of long-term recovery and resilience. Conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome can often go undiagnosed or unmanaged in vulnerable populations, yet they significantly impact hormonal balance, energy levels, and overall health. Nutritional guidance plays a key role in helping individuals better understand how diet influences these conditions, particularly in managing insulin response and supporting metabolic health.
Structured approaches, such as those offered at JM Nutrition, can help women navigate these complexities with practical, sustainable strategies that align with their personal circumstances. By integrating nutritional support into wider rehabilitation and health initiatives, women are better equipped to regain control over their physical health, build consistent habits, and move forward with greater strength and stability.
“The WRNA is really helpful for being able to actually provide holistic support. From the WRNA you are able to see the big picture – rather than a narrow pathway – and that there are other areas, sometimes more priority, that she needs support with. This allows us to listen to the woman’s needs and make a more tailored and beneficial plan of support.”
Anawim Caseworker.
Previous research from the University of Birmingham has shown specialist women’s interventions, like those provided by women’s centres, are up to 42% more effective in reducing reoffending than non-gendered support. Over the coming years, the Effective Women’s Centres Partnership – a network of seven women’s centres and the University of Birmingham – aims to provide the strongest evidence yet that investment in community-based, gender-responsive services leads to better long-term outcomes and a more effective and sustainable justice system.
This will be facilitated by new funding. The Henry Smith Foundation, one of the largest independent funders in the UK, is providing £1.5 million in matched funding to The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls to scale up the Effective Women’s Centres Partnership. The partnership works to evidence the effectiveness of women’s centres as community-based alternatives to custody and was initially funded by JABBS. With the new funding, more women’s centres will join and therefore use WRNA.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls and support the Effective Women’s Centres Partnership, creating safer futures and supporting women to rebuild their lives.”
Annabel Collins, Grants Manager at the Henry Smith Foundation.
The Independent Sentencing Review, led by former Justice Minister David Gauke and published in May 2025, recommended the Government make greater use of community sentencing instead of prison, and provide long-term and sustainable funding to women’s centres. By helping divert women from crime and harm, the research collaboration provides evidence-based solutions that align with the Government’s aims to tackle crime, reduce prison overcrowding, and make the UK’s streets safer.
“This investment reflects the growing confidence in what we have known for a long time: supporting women in the community works. It’s brilliant to have the growing academic evidence to back it up and the opportunity to scale up this transformational partnership.”
Chloe Geoghegan, Deputy Director at The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls.
Details of how organisations can apply to join the Effective Women’s Centres Partnership will be published by The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls later this year.