What is Chrysalis? 

Research has shown that women can often feel isolated and disengaged from their local communities, due to feelings of shame, low self-esteem or personal and social problems. Sometimes they have poor problem solving skills and can struggle to think positively about their future. The women-only Chrysalis service, delivered in Shropshire and Herefordshire and funded by Smallwood Trust, seeks to enable and empower women and their families to overcome disadvantage, inequality and poverty whilst increasing financial resilience.

Criteria for Chrysalis Referrals:

• Female
• Be over 18 years old
• Women who are vulnerable with complex and multiple needs (examples include but are not exclusive):
  • women in the criminal justice system
  • women with drug/alcohol dependency
  • women experiencing relationship breakdown
  • women in need of guidance and support for practical day to day issues
  • women who are isolated 

Where is Chrysalis delivered?

Chrysalis is delivered in Shropshire, Telford and Herefordshire.  

How does Chrysalis help?

We meet women and their families at times that suit them. We operate on a hybrid basis with face to face appointments and/or virtual meetings, depending on the preference of the woman. The support plans we put in place are important, but so is the time we offer for a bit of offloading and a listening ear. Our intention is to prepare women to be resilient and independent rather than create co-dependency.

Examples of areas we have provided support across:

• Managing money
• Emotional and Mental Health
• Manging Tenancy and Accommodation
• Motivation and Taking Responsibility

Discretionary Fund

We are also able to financially help some of the women we support through our Smallwood Trust discretionary fund. This funding enables us to assist women who are facing financial hardship and need to buy essential items such as white goods, or food, or to help pay their electricity or gas bills, or even plug a rent shortfall. These funds are vital for helping women out of crisis and giving them the opportunity, and ability, to turn their lives around.  

What can you expect from Chrysalis:

• One to One appointments with your Chrysalis worker and/or volunteer.
• Personalised plan tailored to what you want to achieve.
• Length of the service will reflect your needs. This will be agreed upon at the start of the service and will be reviewed regularly.
• Key worker will use coaching and mentoring techniques to empower you. They will also provide information and guidance on practical issues and emotional support.
• Signposting to other agencies if necessary.
• Working in collaboration with other agencies to help achieve your desired outcomes.

Hear what real people have to say:

All of my needs are being met. I finally have someone who is helping me fight the battle I’ve been fighting for over 20 years now.

It’s getting the continued support for as long as I need it – not for it to finish at four months. You can’t help us sort our problems in two months or four months as we have had these problems for many years.

Friendly, knowledgeable staff who are contactable, available, flexible, with a wide range of experiences so they can answer your questions and sort your problems. Good we can have phone contact if I am not up to seeing someone.

Make a referral

If you'd like to make a referral or find out more about Chrysalis, please email: [email protected] and we will try to get back to you within 5 working days.