East London’s new Bloom Hub offers a safe, women-only sanctuary for girls aged 13–25, blending trauma support, mentoring, study space, and emotional refuge under one roof.
A new community space designed exclusively for young women and girls has officially opened its doors in East London, offering a unique sanctuary that blends emotional support with practical assistance. Dubbed The Bloom Hub, this pioneering initiative serves as a dedicated “one-stop shop” for girls and young women aged 13 to 25.
Operated by the charity Advance — known for its work with survivors of domestic abuse and women navigating the criminal justice system — the centre aims to meet the diverse needs of a demographic often underserved in mainstream public services. The project has been made possible with backing from London’s Violence Reduction Unit and the Ministry of Justice.
The Hub provides an inviting alternative to schools, public libraries, or youth clubs, offering both anonymity and acceptance.
According to a report by the BBC, the Bloom Hub was co-designed and named by young women already working with Advance, ensuring that the space truly reflects the community it intends to serve. Staffed entirely by women, the facility offers counselling, mentoring, academic help, and even simple comforts like snacks and second-hand clothing.
“There has been a large number of cases where girls from different ethnic cultures will come and say that they’re not allowed in spaces where boys are,” said Dali Kaur, director of services at Advance, speaking to the BBC. “What they can only attend is a place which is run by women for women.”
The Hub provides an inviting alternative to schools, public libraries, or youth clubs, offering both anonymity and acceptance. It features private rooms, quiet zones for study, communal areas for conversation, and peer support services. Crucially, it also offers a space to safely disclose experiences of abuse or violence — a need that, according to Advance’s latest data, is sadly growing.
Between October 2024 and February 2025, the organisation received over 1,000 referrals to its young women and girls’ services. Of these, a third were related to sexual offences, while 32% concerned violent crimes and 20% related to stalking and harassment.
“You’re probably upset and then you come here and you feel more happy with yourself,” said one user of the centre. “They understand you and they know what you’re going through.”
Lib Peck, director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, underscored the importance of community-led design in addressing gender-based violence. “Listening to young people is and has to be at the very heart of our approach,” she said. “The hub provides girls and young women with a space where they feel safe, supported, and somewhere they can build friendships.”
The centre operates five days a week and allows unrestricted access after an initial referral, making it especially useful for girls who may be dealing with unstable housing, abuse at home, or general isolation.
Future plans for the hub include bringing in on-site tutors to assist with homework and expanding childcare provisions to support young mothers — an often overlooked group when it comes to outreach and support services.
As the Bloom Hub takes root in East London, it stands as both a practical support network and a symbolic statement: that young women deserve safe, inclusive spaces created with their voices at the centre.
