A SOCIAL enterprise helped more than 100 women rebuild their lives and saved the public purse more than half-a-million pounds in just a year, according to a new report.
The “life-changing” work of MsMissMrs supporting Glasgow’s women and addressing child poverty was worth £3 million in a year after £165,000 investment, the report commissioned by the Hunter Foundation and the Scottish Government shows.
MsMissMrs provides financial, emotional, social and practical support to disadvantaged women and their families in communities across Glasgow. This includes programmes delivered directly by the organisation and in partnership with other community projects and public sector bodies such as schools, prisons and other community settings.
The organisation takes a holistic approach to helping women overcome inequalities such as poverty and trauma. This means the support offered is wide-ranging and led by participants – from courses aimed at improving emotional wellbeing, opportunities to connect with other women in their communities, support in accessing the benefits they are entitled to and boosting income, to community-based food and nutrition sessions and more.
Some women were able to start work after a period of unemployment while others started businesses or went into further education. Both participants and referral organisations emphasised the benefit MsMissMrs had to women’s families and wider communities, including the improvement in school and nursery attendance for some children.
Researchers estimated the organisation’s impact to be worth £3,043,064 between April 2022 and March 2023, based on analysis carried out this year. Researchers considered savings from preventing public sector intervention as well as financial and quality of life improvements experienced by the women who participated.
MsMissMrs supported 105 women during the period from an investment of £165,000, meaning an £18 return for every £1 spent. The organisation has sustained this level of impact through 2024, with all investment allowing MsMissMrs support to benefit more women and their families year on year.
Among those helped was Anna*, 33. She said: “I was living in a refuge, unemployed and unqualified. I was put in touch with MsMissMrs through my daughter’s nursery. They supported me in all kinds of ways but mostly to achieve more for my future so my life and my daughter’s would look different.
“I moved to a new home, qualified as a wellbeing therapist and now run my own business and offer opportunities to others. My daughter is in sports and dance clubs and enjoys the life that a child should. Having people see my potential rather than my situation changed my life.”
Sally*, 37, said: “I was referred through my GP. My mental health was low. I felt alone, money was tight and I was raising two children with disabilities who rarely left the house due to money worries and my social anxiety. Talking to people was hard. I had been in the system as a child, authority scared me and was worried about losing my children if I was honest about my struggles. My children were properly assessed. I am now able to afford the clubs, clothes and nutrition my kids need to help them thrive. MsMissMrs gave me a safe space to start to sort my life out.”
Sarah*, 31, added: “The Job-centre referred me. Due to my mental health and anxiety, I was living with my mum who was supporting me in caring for my son. It was difficult for me to leave the house and get my wee boy to nursery.
“I attended a self-esteem group and learned about how to take care of myself and set boundaries. The team also supported me in getting my wee boy a nursery space. They also helped me attend a nail course and I am now a qualified nail artist. I am back driving my car which I couldn’t do before. I have moved to a new home and my wee boy is flourishing in nursery.”
Sir Tom Hunter, founder of the Hunter Foundation said: “The results are extraordinary. It would be good to sit down with local authority leaders and share how we can help more people throughout Scotland.”
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s highest priority and MsMissMrs support this by delivering wide-ranging and vital support to women rebuilding their lives.
“I have seen up close the fantastic support offered to women and girls across its services and I am pleased that the Scottish Government’s Social
Innovation Partnership has supported MsMissMrs with more than £1.2m since 2018 so that they can continue their vital work. This report clearly illustrates how investment in holistic, person-centred support can help to tackle the causes of child poverty and inequality whilst also generating savings in public spending.”
*Names have been changed
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