For over 160 years, women have shaped The Passage’s mission to support people experiencing homelessness. 🧡
This Women’s History Month, we are celebrating the women who built our foundations, those leading our work today, and the women helping drive change across our community and the wider sector.
Our story begins with women
In 1863, the Daughters of Charity (St Vincent de Paul Sisters) began supporting people experiencing poverty at Carlisle Place in Westminster.
Their compassion, practical action, and commitment to social justice laid the foundation for what would later become The Passage.
For more than a century, the Sisters supported people facing homelessness, poverty and exclusion, and then further developed that work by launching The Passage’s Resource Centre in 1980, creating a new model of holistic support that continues today.
Their legacy is not simply part of our history. It continues to shape how we work, who we serve, and the values that guide us.
Women driving change today
Women have long been at the heart of The Passage, and that remains true today.
Across our organisation, women lead services, shape strategy, and share lived experience to challenge stigma and improve support.
Mila Mihaylov: Making The Passage More Inclusive for Women
Gill Rivers: Championing Change and Social Responsibility
Sister Ellen Flynn (previous CEO): Leadership, Legacy and Lasting Change
Dr Júlia Tomás: Changing How We Understand Modern Slavery
Jenny Travassos: Creating Change Across the Homelessness Sector
Latoya Gabbidon: Sharing Her Lived Experience to Inspire Hope and Resilience
Princess Diana: Inspiring Generations of Change in the Sector
Betsy Kimayo: Shares Her Experience of 22 Years at The Passage
Be part of the change
With your support, we can continue to shape the future.
You can help women experiencing homelessness rebuild their lives and access the support they need.
Why this work matters
At The Passage, our services support everyone experiencing homelessness, helping them rebuild stability, confidence, and independence.
We are extremely grateful to be supported by a strong network of women – and men – who play a central role in making this work possible. Many of our services are funded by voluntary income, so every effort made to fundraise, volunteer, or tell people about our vital work is hugely appreciated; and makes a real difference to the lives of those we support.
We all have a role to play. Join our community today.
Subscribe today to hear about The Passage’s work, events, and appeals – and discover meaningful ways you can stand with people who experience or become at risk of homelessness.