Over the past three weeks, a group of volunteers, staff and clients have been creating a garden wall mural within the garden area of Sunrise Haven, our specialist supported accommodation for women.

Volunteers from Yorkshire Building Society joined forces with some staff and clients to help artist, Amanda Palmer in collaboration with Blackfield Creatives to paint the colourful and hope-inspiring artwork that will help to brighten up the garden area for those in Sunrise Haven.

Sunrise Haven is a bespoke accommodation option based within Clarkson House, our main homelessness hostel, and is primarily for residents with more complex needs relating to gender.

Sunrise Haven consists of 3 private ensuite bedrooms.

Residents have access to:

• Laundry services
• A communal kitchen and lounge where they can make friends and avoid isolation
• A training space to learn new skills
• Food donated by local businesses
• Regular one-to-one check ins
• Physical health check ups with a visiting nurse practitioner
• Access to a mental health nurse and counselling sessions
• Assistance with recovery from drug & alcohol abuse
• Education opportunities
• Employment support

Upon arrival at Sunrise Haven, residents receive a bespoke personal assessment and are assigned a key worker who supports them throughout their whole time at the Ferry Project to reach their personal goals and learn to live independently.

By providing a safe space, away from the more male-dominated main hostel, we have seen an increase in engagement with activities, education and volunteering amongst those who stay in Sunrise Haven. We have also seen a large increase in the number of women accessing this service, alongside those who have suffered domestic abuse.

Once the resident is ready, they usually move on to our resettlement accommodation which bridges the gap between hostel living and independence.

In 2024/25 we saw a successful move-on rate from Sunrise Haven of 93%.