Severn Angels Housing & Support (SAHS) was founded in 2018 by a businesswoman, Spiwe Mhondiwa after having experienced homelessness and domestic violence herself. Spiwe knows how vulnerable and frightening it can be for women especially when you do not know whom to turn to for support.
Statistics shows that there is a lack of support for women, particularly women-only facilities that promote a safe space for women fleeing domestic violence, expecting mothers, refugees, asylum seekers, care leavers, women from various faiths, ethnic minorities, and homeless women. This gap demonstrated to us that women are often put in unsafe or uncomfortable environments, which motivated us further to make this a woman’s only charity.
Our main aim is to equip women with skills that will allow them to live independently and regain control of their lives. This support comes in different forms, from providing supported housing where women can live, to providing life skills such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, and budgeting.
We are a BAME-led organisation with culturally-competent support for every homeless woman regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religion. We believe that every individual deserves to be treated equally, with respect and dignity regardless of who they are.
We also provide help with getting the right training or education they need so they can get a job, as well as showing them how to integrate and participate in their community.
We believe by working together, we can make sure everyone in our society has a safe place to call home and empower women fleeing domestic violence to feel more confident about their decisions. We partner with other local and national charities to provide a holistic service that maximises our impact and the support we provide.
End destitution in Women asylum seekers, refugees and migrants who have no recourse to public funds because of their immigration status.
Our mission is to prevent and relieve women’s homelessness by providing safe, women-only supported accommodation and holistic support for vulnerable women. We support women who are experiencing homelessness, domestic abuse, poverty, trauma, social isolation, immigration-related hardship, No Recourse to Public Funds, care leaving, discrimination and other forms of disadvantage.
Through trauma-informed and culturally competent support, we help women stabilise, rebuild confidence, develop practical life skills and move towards independent living. Our work includes housing-related support, advocacy, food and essential items, wellbeing support, budgeting, employment and education guidance, signposting and move-on planning. We aim to meet women with dignity, compassion and understanding, helping them move from crisis towards safety, stability and hope.
Our vision is of a society where every woman has a safe place to call home, the support she needs to rebuild her life, and the opportunity to participate fully in her community.
We want to see an end to women’s homelessness, and a future where women affected by abuse, poverty, trauma, discrimination or exclusion are not left without options. We believe every woman deserves safety, dignity, belonging and the chance to live independently with confidence. Through our accommodation, support, advocacy and partnerships, we work towards communities where women are protected from harm, listened to, valued and empowered to flourish.
Severn Angels Housing & Support was founded from a place of compassion, lived experience and a deep belief that no woman should be left without safety, dignity or hope. Our work is guided by Christian values, including love, hospitality, justice, mercy, service and care for those in need.
Our Christian ethos shapes how we serve, but it is never imposed on anyone. We welcome and support every woman who comes through our doors, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, faith, gender identity, sexual orientation, background or life experience. Whether a woman has a faith, follows another faith, or has no faith at all, she is treated with respect, dignity and care.
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.”
Luke 6:31
This principle sits at the heart of our work. As a by-and-for organisation, we seek to put ourselves in the shoes of the women we support. Many have experienced homelessness, domestic abuse, poverty, trauma, discrimination, immigration-related hardship, No Recourse to Public Funds, care leaving, family breakdown or social isolation. We believe every woman deserves to be listened to, respected and supported without judgement.
“Love your neighbour as yourself.”
Mark 12:31
For SAHS, love is practical. It means providing safe women-only accommodation, one-to-one support, advocacy, food and essentials, life skills, emotional support and signposting. It means walking alongside women as they stabilise, rebuild confidence and take steps towards independence.
“I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
Matthew 25:35
Hospitality is central to our service. We welcome women who may have been rejected, displaced, unsafe or unsure where to turn. Our aim is to create a homely and trauma-informed environment where women can begin to feel safe, express themselves freely and rebuild trust.
“Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly.”
Micah 6:8
We recognise that many women face barriers that are not of their own making, including poverty, unsafe housing, discrimination, domestic abuse, immigration restrictions and lack of access to support. We therefore seek to stand alongside women with compassion and advocacy, helping them access the services, rights and opportunities they need.
“For in the way you judge, you will be judged.”
Matthew 7:2
SAHS aims to be a non-judgemental space. Our role is not to condemn, but to support women with honesty, care and accountability. We encourage women to take positive steps, participate in support, make safe choices and believe that change is possible.
Our faith inspires us to serve with humility, but our support is open to all. Every woman who comes to SAHS is valued as a person with dignity, potential and the right to rebuild her life.
BAME Charity UK