A COVENTRY charity which helps women in the city tackle issues such as homelessness, sexual exploitation and poor mental health has appealed for help finding a new home as it grapples with record demand.
Kairos has served the city for almost 25 years, helping around 250 of the most marginalised women in Coventry each year.
However, an unprecedented increase in demand and the complexity of its client’s needs has seen it outgrow its current home at All Saints Church.
To meet this demand, charity chiefs have hired ten extra staff in recent years, and have recently begun searching for a new venue for offices and as a base to deliver its support services.
It deals with issues such as substance misuse, domestic abuse, sexual violence and extreme poverty.
Its list of services also includes daytime and evening drop-in sessions, crisis and harm reduction support, group sessions, one-to-one emotional support and counselling.
Many of the women Kairos supports live in Hillfields, Foleshill, and Spon End, which are all among the top 10 per cent most deprived areas in the country.
The charity works alongside West Midlands Police to ensure women living in these areas are safe.
Kairos CEO Kellie Ziemba said: “Over the past few years, we’ve managed ever-increasing levels of demand, adapted to a more competitive funding landscape and responded to the extreme challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis.
“Our priority is to evolve sensibly to reach 2025 as a strong and sustainable organisation, equipped for an exciting future.
“A new home would enable Kairos to provide a dedicated, safe, confidential, and welcoming space for the women we support and to offer more to those we support.”
Kairos’s new home wishlist includes the building being around 2500 sq. ft, around the centre of Coventry, accessible, offices for 15 people, a kitchen and outdoor space.
It also needs to have a reception, a large main room and smaller meeting rooms.
Email [email protected] if you have a potentially suitable space available.
