Bedfordshire’s Lord Lieutenant dropped into Stepping Stones Luton on Wednesday to see the work the charity does to help women dealing with domestic violence and addictions.
Helen Nellis was told the charity is dealing with 160 clients with many more on the waiting list.
A range of benefits is offered to women, from individual support, mentoring and counselling, and courses designed to increase self-esteem, parenting skills, the therapeutic environment of a supportive group, and encouragement into training and work.