Culturally sensitive support for women and girls

Hopscotch has been present in the community since WW2 and, for the last few decades, has been a sanctuary for minoritised ethnic women and their families, providing grassroots community services in their times of need. 

We became a registered charity in 1998 and today we are a London-wide advocacy service, supporting thousands of women to overcome poverty, escape abuse, struggle with mental health issues and transitioning into employment. We also specialise in working with refugees as well as older/young people facing social isolation.

Culturally sensitive support

Our Impact

In five years, we have tripled the number of service users we have supported each year, from 600 to 1,900

Over 8,900 unique service users have been provided with person-centric and tailored support since 2018

1,400 refugees have been given culturally sensitive support since 2021

Serving people in 27 languages

Our specialism

Effective Outreach to Marginalised Individuals

Expert outreach skills to access those who are easy to ignore by our statutory partners. Individuals who slip through the net feel supported by us in their time of need.

Compassionate Legal Expertise for Complex Issues

Having the legal skills together with compassion and expertise to work with the multiple and complex issues and barriers which cause our service users to be in constant crisis.

Diverse and Empathetic Team

A culturally and linguistically diverse team with lived experience who help service users feel safe to open up and seek support for a better life.

Our Core Principles

At the heart of our service delivery are four core principles 

Culturally Sensitive – We recognise and respect the diverse cultural backgrounds of the women we serve, ensuring our support is appropriate, relevant and effective. We are proud of the 27 languages spoken at our Centre and we know this helps women and girls feel at ease when seeking support.

Trauma-Informed Approach – We are committed to understanding the physiology of trauma and the impact it has on the lives of our vulnerable service users. We integrate this awareness into all aspects of our service.

Person-Centred Approach – Each woman’s journey is unique, and we work with her to ensure our support tailoring is exactly as she needs it to be. We will check in with her and follow her lead to ensure she receives the right support at the right time – according to her priorities.

Human Rights Principled – We uphold the dignity and rights of every individual who deserves the same human rights as any other citizen of the UK. We advocate robustly for this justice and equality, working closely with the British Institute of Human Rights to ensure we operate within the law.

Hopscotch Women's Centre is more than just a support service; it is a community and a safe space where well-being begins and women can thrive

Comprehensive Support Services

Our holistic, wrap-around services are designed to meet the varied needs of the women and families we support.

Domestic Abuse Support/Violence Against Women and Girls

Our team is here to offer a compassionate ear and practical support to women experiencing abuse. We provide a safe space where individuals can share their experiences and receive guidance on legal options, safe accommodation, and what they need to recover.

Welfare Benefits Advice

Navigating the complex landscape of welfare benefits can be challenging. Our experts offer personalised guidance to ensure individuals can access the support they need, whether it’s housing, Universal Credit, PIP or other welfare or disability benefits or support.

Employability Skills

Our employment skills programme offers training, mentorship and support to help women enter or re-enter the workforce with confidence. From CV writing workshops to interview preparation, we equip individuals with the tools and encouragement they need to succeed.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Mental health is as important as physical health. Our dedicated team provides a range of services promoting mental wellbeing and resilience. Whether it’s safe listening sessions, support groups, or mindfulness workshops, we support women on their journey to mental wellness.

Refugee Advocacy

Our specialist team has a deep cultural understanding of the barriers faced by those who have recently fled to the UK. With their trauma-informed approach, the team works with individuals, families and groups to help them grow their understanding of British society. This includes a lot of language and cultural support so that the transition to having a home here is as smooth as possible.

Older Women’s Group

Building connections and fostering community is vital, especially for older women. Our group provides a welcoming space where women can share experiences, support each other, and participate in various activities and outings.

Youth Support

Adolescence can be challenging, and our youth support programmes aim to provide a refuge from isolation. Through group activities, workshops, and mentoring, we empower teenage girls to build confidence, develop positive relationships, and prioritise their mental health.

Positive Masculinity Project

Our newest initiative focuses on promoting healthy, respectful relationships and behaviours among teenage boys. Through one-to-one spaces, workshops, discussions, and peer support, we aim to challenge harmful stereotypes and empower young men to become positive role models in their communities.

Outreach and Accessibility

Our commitment to accessibility means extending our reach beyond our Centre. Through our floating services and a multi-language team, we ensure that every woman who needs our support can access it, regardless of location or language barriers.

Camden Faith & Belief Community Awards 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Hopscotch has been honoured with the Camden Faith & Belief Community Award 2024 by the Camden Faith & Belief Forum for outstanding work serving the residents of Camden.  This prestigious award, a partnership between Camden Council and the Faith & Belief Forum, highlights the invaluable contributions of faith and […]

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Crisis Within a Crisis

Benaifer Bhandari – CEO Hopscotch Women’s Centre Hopscotch is a charity which supports ethnically minoritised women with challenges placed in their way in the form of unemployment, poverty and domestic abuse. We are able to run our services because, like many charities, we have a social enterprise. For us this is a Homecare contract with […]

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How Hopscotch is Serving Communities

Can we envision nurturing a culture and developing a society where all women are empowered, connected, well and safe so that they can achieve their full potential?  There are of course many thousands of silent warriors (individual and group) in the world who are battling for this to happen.  One such organisation is Hopscotch Women’s […]

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Leading with Heart – An Inspiring Journey of Hopscotch Women’s Centre’s CEO

60-second interview for pro-recruitment.co.uk with Benaifer Bhandari in 2020 Tell me about yourself, how your career started and what you do at Hopscotch Women’s Centre? I started as CEO in November 2018, and it was a monumental moment for me. As an Asian woman, the door to CEO roles doesn’t always open easily and I […]

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