Aim

We will support members' financial resilience through budgeting, signposting to advice services and emotional support.

Who are we, and what is our project about?

We are a York-based charity supporting women experiencing poor mental health, trauma, isolation, domestic abuse, poverty and other forms of disadvantage. Through trauma-informed, women-only support, Kyra provides 1:1 counselling, peer support, skills development and creative and wellbeing activities within a safe, welcoming community space. Each year, hundreds of women access support tailored to their individual needs, helping them build confidence and improve wellbeing and resilience.

Behind the project is our dedicated team of staff, volunteers and trustees, who understand that financial hardship rarely exists in isolation. Many of the women we support are managing financial difficulties alongside trauma, anxiety, unemployment, long-term health conditions or domestic abuse. Mainstream services can feel overwhelming or inaccessible, particularly for women who have struggled to build trust or who are already in crisis. Kyra provides a familiar and supportive environment where women can ask for help without fear of judgement.

Our project supports the Financial Wellbeing funding criteria by combining immediate assistance with pathways towards greater financial security. We will provide food vouchers to women experiencing hardship, helping them purchase essentials and relieve urgent financial pressure through our partnership with the Trussell Trust. Vouchers do not include monetary value but instead grant access to Trussell food banks across York. Alongside this practical help, our team will offer trusted one-to-one support and connect women with specialist services providing advice about debt, benefits, budgeting and wider financial wellbeing. This approach will help women address immediate needs while becoming more informed, confident and in control of their finances.

Why are we crowdfunding?

The rising cost of living is placing increasing pressure on women who already have very little financial security. Food insecurity and worries about bills can intensify anxiety, worsen mental health and leave women feeling ashamed, isolated or unable to think beyond their immediate circumstances. For women escaping domestic abuse or living with illness, unemployment or trauma, even a relatively small unexpected cost can create a crisis.

We are crowdfunding so that women facing hardship do not have to manage these challenges alone. The money raised will enable Kyra to provide food vouchers via the Trussell Trust, alongside compassionate, trauma-informed support. This will give women immediate breathing space while helping them access specialist advice and take steps towards longer-term stability.

The project will reduce financial stress, improve access to essential support and help women feel safer and more secure. As financial pressures ease, women will be better able to engage with wellbeing support, connect with others and participate in community life. Ultimately, this funding will help women move from immediate hardship towards greater confidence, stability and independence.

How we’ll spend the money raised

The money raised will be used to provide direct, practical assistance to women in York who are experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity. 

Funding will support Kyra’s trusted, trauma-informed work with each woman. Our team will take time to understand her circumstances, provide emotional and practical support, and help her connect with specialist services offering advice about benefits, debt, budgeting and other financial concerns.

The money raised will therefore contribute towards:

• Food vouchers for women experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity (these do not have monetary value but are distributed in accordance with our partnership with the Trussell Trust to allow women to access Trussell food banks) 
• 1:1 support to understand each woman’s needs and circumstances
• Signposting and supported referrals to specialist financial advice services
• Project coordination and administration, ensuring assistance is distributed safely, fairly and effectively
• Monitoring the project’s reach and impact so we can learn from and improve our support

Every donation will help relieve immediate pressure while giving women the support and information they need to work towards greater financial security. Together, we can help women feel less overwhelmed, more in control and better able to plan for the future.

How you can help

There are three simple ways to get involved and support our project:

1. Make a donation

Every pledge gets us closer to our goal. Early support can help build momentum and inspire others to give too.

2. Spread the word

Share our project with friends, family and your wider network. The more people we reach, the more likely we are to succeed.

3. Volunteer with us (optional – remove if not relevant)

If you’d like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch through the ‘Contact’ section using the subject "I want to volunteer my time or expertise" on our project page.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 4th December 2026 at 10:03am