A BRADFORD charity helping homeless men is now offering its support to women rough-sleeping in the city.

The head of service at Bradford Cyrenians, Ean Monk, said after 40 years help was being extended to address a need and get women off the street and out of danger of exploitation.

Bradford Cyrenians is celebrating a new round of grants of around £18,000, with an additional £2,000 from fundraising to pay for its Re-Start service for 12 months.

The project gives up to ten vulnerable people the chance of a fresh start in their own self-contained flat with intensive support over 12 months to prepare to take up their own longer-term tenancy.

The flats are owned by Yorkshire Housing Association and Accent. Money to pay for this new year came from the Police Crime Commissioner’s Safer Communities Fund which gave £4,700, the BigLottery Awards For All gave £8,500 and Santander gave £5,000.

In December the charity received £250,000 to improve its hostel in Manningham from the government.

Mr Monk said Re-Start opening its doors would hopefully provide more opportunities for women.

“Recently we’ve seen services for women shut so there’s been fewer opportunities for women to get housing. The Blenheim Project, which shut its doors last October, had room for 17 women,” said Mr Monk.

“Women on the streets are obviously a lot more vulnerable to abuse and safeguarding issues by the fact they are women. So far we have had two women with us since June 1 and they were both very vulnerable.

“Of course women have the same issues as men but sex work is a specific concern.”

The Re-Start project is always full and there is a waiting list said Mr Monk.

“When we do get a vacancy it is filled immediately. It shows how much our service is needed but also that there is a need for more,” he said.

Re-Start referrals come from agencies or be self-referrals directly to the organisation.

To support the charity, or find out more about its work, visit bradfordcyrenians.org.uk.