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A newly established women’s support centre dedicated to addressing trauma, mental health challenges, substance use, and other complex needs has been officially inaugurated in Liverpool by Dame Carol Black. This facility, known as the RIVER Women’s Hub and situated on Belmont Road, integrates a range of services including drug and alcohol treatment, healthcare, wellbeing support, and specialist partner programs. It offers a trauma-informed, safe space designed specifically to meet the diverse needs of women.
Dame Carol Black, who serves as the UK’s foremost independent adviser on drugs and recovery, formally opened the hub during a visit that highlighted Liverpool’s comprehensive strategy to reduce harm caused by drugs and alcohol and enhance recovery outcomes across the city. The hub is tailored for women facing multiple and overlapping challenges such as substance misuse, mental health difficulties, trauma, domestic abuse, exploitation, and involvement in sex work, aiming to eliminate obstacles that often prevent access to support services.
Since its launch earlier this year, the hub has been making a significant impact. Between June 8 and June 22, 2026, the centre facilitated 67 appointments, delivering medical and nurse-led interventions, conducting alcohol assessments, and assisting women through recovery-focused group activities. It also offers rapid access to urgent assessments, prescribing, and specialist support at critical moments. The hub is fostering collaboration, with organizations like RASA, Changing Lives, and the Pearls Project already providing services on-site, and there are ongoing plans to introduce a women-only Alcoholics Anonymous group.
The positive influence of the hub is reflected in the words of service users and officials alike. One woman shared how it helped her through a difficult period, saying, “If I never found Belmont Women’s Hub, I would have been too close to wanting to end my life. The ladies are amazing and I’ve never been so hopeful… I’m now safe and valued.” Councillor Harry Doyle emphasized the importance of gender-responsive support, commenting, “The RIVER Women’s Hub is a fantastic example of this in action… it is helping women access the support they need in a way that recognises their individual circumstances.” Similarly, Professor Matthew Ashton praised the centre’s trauma-informed approach, calling it a model for delivering the right support at the right time to tackle broader health inequalities. The RIVER Women’s Hub continues to play a vital role in Liverpool’s efforts to support women toward better health, wellbeing, and recovery
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