Crisis accommodation
Safe, supported accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence or homelessness.
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Practical support across New England
What we do
We provide trauma-informed, person-centred support to women, children, young people, and families experiencing homelessness, domestic, family and sexual violence, and related crisis.
Built locally
Responding to regional realities.
The Womens Shelter Armidale began in 1975 when two local veterinarians, Betty and Judith, stood in a sheep paddock and asked a hard question: where do women and children go when home is not safe?
That conversation grew into one of New South Wales’ longest-serving women’s refuges. Today, we honour their vision through crisis accommodation, outreach, casework, health care, food relief, specialist support, practical assistance, and strong advocacy.
Every person who comes to us is met with dignity, respect, and support shaped around their own choices and goals.
Our services
Support is coordinated around each person’s circumstances. People can contact us directly, and other services can also make a referral with consent.
Casework and advocacy
Safety planning, practical case management, housing support, advocacy, referrals, and help navigating complex systems.
Health and wellbeing
Accessible primary health care, health education, care coordination, and pathways to specialist services.
Children and young people
Specialist, child-centred support that recognises each child’s voice, strengths, experiences, and individual needs.
Food and essentials
Nutritious meals, household essentials, material assistance, and practical support when resources are stretched.
Outreach and prevention
Regional outreach, group programs, early intervention, community education, and strong local partnerships.
Safety and housing
Specialist domestic violence and homelessness support.
We provide crisis accommodation and work alongside women and families to build safety, address immediate needs, and identify sustainable housing pathways.
- Individualised safety planning and risk-informed support
- Trauma-informed case management and advocacy
- Crisis accommodation and pathways to transitional or longer-term housing
- Connection with legal, financial, health, housing, and community services
Recovery and connection
Group programs.
Our therapeutic and educational group programs provide opportunities to build knowledge, confidence, connection, and practical skills. Programs are facilitated with care and respond to the needs of participants.
Transitional Health Clinic
Health care without judgement or unnecessary barriers.
Violence and homelessness can have serious and lasting health impacts. Our clinic supports people who may face barriers to mainstream health care, particularly those with complex needs or heightened vulnerability. Care is trauma-informed, person-centred, and coordinated with other supports where appropriate.
The clinic is supported by funding from the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network through the Australian Government’s Primary Health Network Program.
Children and young people
Specialist support shaped around each child.
Children and young people are recognised as individuals with their own voices, strengths, experiences, and support needs. Our specialist work focuses on safety, emotional wellbeing, resilience, advocacy, and age-appropriate opportunities to heal, connect, and thrive.
Community outreach
Practical help beyond accommodation.
Our work extends across Armidale, Guyra, Uralla, Walcha, and many smaller communities. Outreach helps people connect with support earlier, while our food and essentials programs respond to immediate hardship with dignity and practical care.
Working together
Strong community partnerships.
No single service can meet every need. We work with housing, health, legal, cultural, education, government, and community partners when collaboration improves safety, access, wellbeing, and long-term stability.
Early intervention and prevention
Building safer and more responsive communities.
Experienced staff contribute to education, prevention, and early intervention activities in schools, youth settings, and community spaces. We also work to strengthen culturally safe practice through listening, partnership, and respect for cultural authority.
This video records a specific cultural ceremonial project on Anaiwan Country. The Womens Shelter Armidale works across many Countries and respects the Traditional Custodians, Elders, cultural knowledge, and local protocols of every community where we live, work, and provide support.
Need support?
You do not have to work out the next step alone.
Call 1800 005 352 free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or use our Crisis Support and Referral Pathway.