Bronwyn Bate is helping women escape domestic violence and find work.
In 2018, Bronwyn spent a year interviewing women who had experienced homelessness to co-design a trauma-informed social enterprise. Bronwyn was confronted with a tragic reality: domestic and family violence is the single largest driver of homelessness for women in Australia. Saddened by the lack of support after women leave a shelter, Bronwyn launched Mettle Women Inc in 2019.
Mettle provides safe, flexible and supportive employment for women in crisis recovery. So far Mettle has employed 47 women, with many more accessing support services. Of the women who’ve been through the six-month program, 82% remain in stable employment.
Beyond paying fair wages, Mettle provides funds for crisis support, childcare subsidies, rental assistance and scholarships. Bronwyn has shown that addressing complex issues like domestic violence and homelessness requires dignity, structure and belief in people’s potential.