Female offenders are a socially disadvantaged group. 53% female offenders experienced abuse as a child, 31% were taken into care, 81% were unemployed before prison, 49% suffer from both depression and anxiety and 25% have indicators of psychosis. There is no specific women's centre in Dorset and female specific support difficult to access across the area, leading to gaps in provision and an increase in time for women to access help.

The Bank will be a community space for up to 40 women per day, with clothing and food banks, individual and group support and skills training to help women increase their self-esteem, develop new skills and new pro-social connections. We expect to support 100-200 women. We will work with and co-locate other agencies at the Bank increasing access to support. Agencies will include NHS, Probation, Dorset Mind and Bournemouth CAB as well as Acts Fast (Sexual abuse support for families)