B&B to become women's support retreat

A support charity said its new retreat for vulnerable women would help them "live safely with dignity and purpose".

The Pontefract-based Saviour Trust has been given permission to convert a former guesthouse in Knottingley into a retreat.

The centre, in the former Wentvale B&B on Great North Road, would house 12 residents.

A Wakefield Council planning officer said the scheme would "ensure a viable continued use for the building within an accessible, suburban location".

Documents submitted to the council said residents would have their own rooms and a minimum of two staff members would be on site at all times, with specialist support staff visiting throughout the day.

The accommodation is intended to be temporary while residents work through a programme of up to 12 months, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Activities planned include a gardening club, choir, yoga, fitness classes, art clubs, outdoor cinema and volunteer work in local organisations.

Alistair Crompton, head of community engagement at Five Towns Christian Fellowship, gave his support to the project.

He said: "Due to cuts to local councils and other services, we see nationally a massive shortage of help and support for those who are classed as homeless and/or those on the edges of society.

"Most of these people are seen as a nuisance, menaces to society and a general problem.

"They get thrown into a hotel or hostel with little to no support.

"More often than not, these individuals have complex needs and historically trauma that has never been addressed, or dealt with.

"The individuals are extremely vulnerable and the vulnerability and risk increases considerably for women."

Mr Compton said his organisation had been working with the Saviour Trust for the past 18 months on a support hub project in Castleford.

He added: "It has been an absolute joy to work alongside them, they are open-handed, honest, trustworthy and because of the integrity and character of who they are, we have seen some amazing results."

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