Trevi is sad to announce that the current lead of their Sunflower Women’s Centre, the dynamic Laura Fraser-Crewes, is moving on to pastures new. Still, they are excited to be welcoming a new strategic lead very soon.

Laura Fraser-Crewes will be familiar to many in the city as a champion of addressing social injustice, notably through her many years working with the homeless charity, Shekinah, and most recently, improving outcomes for disadvantaged women in the city through her development of the life-changing Sunflower Women’s Centre run by the Southwest women’s charity, Trevi.

Whilst Trevi is sad to see Laura leave the charity, her passion and legacy lives on in the exceptional services available through the Sunflower Women’s Centre. What began as a small project in 2016 has proved to be a lifeline for women recovering from addiction, abuse and mental health issues and now supports over 700 women across Plymouth. The Sunflower Women’s Centre is a response to the lack of support services identified in the community for women to access medium to long-term recovery support. When Laura joined the charity, she was able to secure funding which enabled the Centre to grow very quickly and move into its current home on Sutherland Road. The Centre now offers wrap-around therapeutic services for any woman in need in the city.

Laura reflects, ‘Four years ago, I was determined to set up a much-needed women’s centre in Plymouth. I have achieved what I set out to do with over 1,000 women receiving support through Sunflower’s initiatives last year. As sad as I am to leave the unique and amazing Trevi family, I am excited to join another lovely charity to achieve great things with vulnerable children and adults in Devon. I am keen to support the great work that is being achieved and use my skills to expand Lifeworks’ portfolio across the region’.

With much to be proud of over the last four years with Trevi, Laura is now moving on to pastures new, taking on the role of CEO with the Dartington-based learning disability charity, Lifeworks. Lifeworks has been in operation for over 21 years and works with over 200 people a year, offering education, accommodation, holiday and weekend activities, and supported work placements. Lifeworks’ mission is to support people with learning disabilities to have a great life and reach their full potential.

Hannah Shead, CEO, says, ‘We are so lucky to have had Laura, who was instrumental in developing the amazing Sunflower Women’s Centre into what it is today, including supporting the team who deliver the life-changing work. Laura has been incredible; her passion and determination for our work has ensured the Centre’s success and has truly transformed the lives of so many women.’

Trevi will be announcing Laura’s successor as Community Services Lead very shortly.

For more information about the Sunflower Women’s Centre, please visit www.trevi.org.uk or email communications@trevi.org.uk