Facts and figures

Every year, Luton All Women’s Centre continues to strengthen its role as the lead women’s health charity in Bedfordshire - growing in scale, reach and influence.

Working out of two centres (in Luton and Bedford), during our reporting year 2024-25 we delivered:

Trauma-informed care for around 1,650 women in our region (1200 in Luton; 450 in Bedford). Around 80% of these women are affected by domestic violence/ abuse.

23 runs of Own My Life (17 groups in Luton; 6 in Bedford) – A 12-week psycho-educational course, helping women understand the impact of domestic abuse and protect themselves.

5500 casework sessions to address immediate/ long-term needs. (5200 in Luton; 300 in Bedford).

2372 trauma-informed counselling hours (2208 in Luton; 164 in Bedford).

136 Wellbeing group sessions (30 in Luton; 106 in Bedford) – Various groups (some language specific), helping clients to gain peer support and achieve long-term positive changes in their mental health and wellbeing.

Mental health and domestic abuse support (with the Community Mental Health Team) and a Trauma Service for 288 women with complex emotional needs in Luton. (contracted by East London NHS Foundation Trust).

52 Anxiety Group sessions – For women whose anxiety blocks them from accessing other support services.

20 Walk to Wellbeing group sessions – Short nature walks plus socially connecting activities.

10 Mimosa Group sessions – For women with historical experiences of childhood sexual abuse.

14 runs of our Menopause Group – Open-access group to help women remain physically and mentally healthy.

4 runs of our Bereavement Group – Open to any woman in our area.

36 Legal advice surgeries (24 in Luton; 12 in Bedford).

5 Health Awareness Events covering issues like diabetes, cancer, menopause and gynae health.

Training on gender-based violence and harmful practices/ FGM, reaching 13,357 young people in schools, plus 400 professionals and employers.

The list could go on - but while this clearly demonstrates the scale of our work, our extensive activity is only one part of a much fuller picture of what we’re achieving.

It’s the positive changes we see in our clients and others from our community that truly makes us proud.

Last year, among those completing their trauma-informed support/ recovery package, 85% reported improved mental health, 75% felt safer, and 60% felt ready to pursue goals like work or training.
Our mental health work (including the two specialist ELFT contracts) also achieves an 85% improvement rate.
From our last Own My Life domestic abuse group programme, 88% women reported an increased understanding of domestic abuse and 92% felt more able to keep themselves safe.
After launching a new schedule of physical activity groups in Luton - like ‘Walk to Wellbeing’ and ‘Energise’ in Luton (targeting bone density and cardiovascular health) - participants reported changes such as reduced GP visits and increased mobility. One participant progressing from walking with sticks to full independence!
When delivering Menopause Support groups in English and Urdu at LAWC, across Luton and online (independently and as part of the NHS Core20PLUS5 initiative), 100% of participants reported greater confidence in managing the menopause and 67% felt more able to approach their GP, improving access to clinical care.
Our broader health events have proven to help better connect women to clinical support. For example, at our February 2025 Women’s Health event, two women were referred for urgent medical help and six booked follow-up GP appointments.

Clients tell us:

“When I first came here, I was not sure if my life was worth living anymore. Now I am walking out with confidence and I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. Also knowing the centre can always support me gives me safe space.”

“I started counselling 12 weeks ago. I came in not wanting to be alive and I walk out today loving life.”

“The support I have received has been life changing. It’s given me my marriage and my life and sanity back. My adviser started the journey out of the darkness and my counsellor saved my life, figuratively not literally. An amazing centre doing an awesome job!”

“It has been a journey, having an adviser that has been so helpful to doing Own My Life to doing trauma therapy. This has helped my journey and my process. My counsellor has been amazing, made me feel comfortable and heard.”

Latest

Room hire

If you’re looking for a place to run an event, meeting, training session, community group, workshop or 1-1 activities (such as counselling), Luton All Women’s Centre at The Spires has a range of rooms available to hire.
Women's Services Directory (Luton)

This directory lists organisations that provide support for women in LUTON. It includes a range of services such as emotional wellbeing support, advice, advocacy, and specialist services.
Women's Services Directory (Bedford)

This directory lists organisations that provide support for women in BEDFORD. It includes a range of services such as emotional wellbeing support, advice, advocacy, and specialist services.
Women's Services Directory (Central Bedfordfordshire)

This directory lists organisations that provide support for women in CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE. It includes a range of services such as emotional wellbeing support, advice, advocacy, and specialist services.

What we do

Luton All Women’s Centre (LAWC) has been supporting women and girls living in Luton and Bedfordshire since the early 1990s. Offering a wide-range of advisory, information, practical and holistic support services, our aim is to challenge gender inequality and empower women and girls to enjoy lives that are safer, healthier and fairer.
Jobs

LAWC is an organisation run by women for women. Our purpose – ‘Challenging gender inequality, creating a safer, healthier and more equal society for women in Luton and Bedfordshire’. If you are passionate about working with women, have the skills or experience we’re looking for and want to make a difference, then we’d love to hear from you. Take a look at our current opportunities.
Counselling

Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, abuse, bereavement or any other distressing issue in your life, it can be easy to feel alone or that everything has moved beyond your point of control. Counselling provides the opportunity to talk with someone about how you’re feeling in a wholly supportive, confidential and non-judgemental environment. At Luton All Women’s Centre, professional counselling is an ongoing and vital part of the holistic support we offer to our clients.
Domestic abuse

Almost 30% of women in England and Wales say they have experienced domestic violence/abuse since the age of 16. If you are affected by this issue, Luton All Women's Centre is there to help.
Make a referral

If you’re a professional and think someone you’re supporting could benefit from any of the services we provide at Luton All Women’s Centre, the team would be happy to hear from you.
Health and wellbeing

The importance of maintaining good physical health, mental health and general wellbeing cannot be over-emphasised. For the women we support at Luton All Women's Centre, such things aren't always easy. Our centre provides a wide range of services which aim to help vulnerable women in Luton with this area of their lives.
Other groups

Luton All Women's Centre offers a range of support groups for women whose health and wellbeing have been affected by various life-events - including childhood sexual abuse and bereavement.
Essential information

Take a look at all the essential information you need to know about Luton All Women's Centre, such as our normal opening times, facilities and accessibility information.
Volunteer with us

Volunteering with LAWC is a fantastic way for you use your skills, expertise and time for good, to support the vital work we carry out and to become a hugely valued member of our great team! Take a look at our current opportunities.
Help with domestic abuse

Local and national information and support around domestic abuse