Alana House
Alana House is PACT’s flagship community project that uses a holistic approach to support and empower women. We offer a confidential, women-only, non-judgemental space and welcome all self-identifying women who feel they need help and support.
Find out moreTo access support services at Alana House, you will need to make a referral.
Are you looking for support for…
Watch this short film to find out more about Alana House
Celebrating the Alana House community
The Alana House gallery
See how Alana House has developed over the years and transformed the lives of hundreds of women seeking support
Read MoreAlana House Community Café
Alana House runs a community café to help women who attend the project to learn and practice valuable new skills
Read More‘Unlocking our lockdown stories’ exhibition
In partnership with The Museum of English Rural Life in reading, three women from Alana House express their lockdown stories though photography
Read MoreBuy our recipe book
Recipes, poetry and artwork from the women and team who work with them, capturing the passion, hope and vision of Alana House
Read MoreFind out what’s on at Alana House
Women who have been referred to our services can access a range of groups and activities
Helplines
Alana House Gallery
Some of the amazing baked goods cooked by some of Alana House’s service users! The baking group made lemon and blueberry cupcakes, red velvet and white chocolate cookies, spinach and cheese pinwheel and cheese scones.
Every week, Alana House receives food from Fareshare at a discounted price for our women to take anything they need or want. Fareshare is a food distribution charity. They believe that no good food should go to waste and instead redistribute surplus food to charities.
Our Alana House gardening group, that we run with The Museum of English Rural Life in Reading, gives women a chance to meet others, socialise and learn how to grow their own plants. At PACT’s 2024 Garden Party, some of the plants on sale included those grown by our service users!
Alana House has been named winner of The Robin Corbett Award for their important work supporting women who have committed offences but need support to make positive life changes.
The Alana house volunteers were awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. The Queen’s Award is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
We were delighted to have a visit from the High Sheriff of Berkshire, Alka Kharbanda, who met with our chief executive Natausha van Vliet and Head of Communities Kathryn Warner.
I couldn’t recommend Alana House enough, since working with you all I have felt so supported which has helped me manage my situation. I’m able to rationalise my thought processes and accept that this time of my life will pass as long as I continue to be self-sufficient. It has helped me accept that life is full of ups and downs but it’s the way you respond to them that makes the difference. I will continue to recommend Alana House to my friends that are having a difficult time because I honestly don’t know where I would be if I hadn’t linked in with you. Thank you so much for everything.
Katie, Alana House service user
If you’d asked me where I would have been two years ago, I’d probably have hit the deck by now. But I haven’t, I’ve turned my life around and actually made something of myself. And I would recommend anyone to come here with anything they want help with. It’s changed my life for me.
Maxine, Alana House service user
Alana House is a really good use of resources and it’s amazing to see the women’s self-respect grow and grow. If I was that person coming here to seek help, I would think that someone thinks I’m worth doing this for. …….
Her Honour Judge Zoe Smith, Reading Crown Court
Alana House is highly regarded and valued by a range of professional agencies as it achieves impressive results for these women that can often be life changing. The fact that there is no other service of its kind in the area makes it even more vital and a service that I feel plays a key role in tackling crime prevention in both the immediate and longer term.
Suzanna Rose, High Sherriff Berkshire 2013/14
Whenever I have a problem, I know I can come to Alana House and they can help me and let me know what to do. They are like family and I am proud to be a service user. When I am with Alana House, I feel free.
Amira, Alana House service user
Without Alana House I would have found it hard to build on my confidence and make my circumstances better. Alana House has given me the tools to live independently and to better manage my finances.
Malisa, Alana House service user
(Alana House) is a really good use of resources… and it’s amazing to see the women’s self-respect grow and grow. If I was that person coming here to seek help, I would think that someone thinks I’m worth doing this for.
Her Honour Judge Zoe Smith, Reading Crown Court
Since my seven months of support, Alana House has boosted by confidence and supported me through many activities that have been provided. I do not know what I would do without them. Thank you so much for your support.
Lorraine, Alana House service user
I have hope again now, which I didn’t have before.
Alice, Alana House service user
Coming to Alana House has made me feel safer, and that I am not alone. If there’s something I need help with I know I can have someone to talk to or to support me. I have recently put up my own Christmas tree in my own home for the first time even, and I feel like it’s a dream come true. I know I am on a positive path now because of the support I have, which I have never had before.
Jenny, Alana House service user
To be honest, the way I was, if I hadn’t found Alana House I think something very bad would have happened. Everything was going wrong and I couldn’t see a way out, but I was determined and I got the help I needed to rebuild. Through doing that it has actually made me realise how strong I am and I am determined to do great things.
Leona, Alana House service user
With anxiety, the more support you have the better. No one should be alone, at Alana House there are people there. Helpful smiley people. Alana House is somewhere I can come at my saddest and at my happiest.
Ruth, Alana House service user
I feel safe knowing that Alana House is always on the other end of the phone… You have helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Beverley, Alana House service user
Our partners
We aim to help women take control of their lives by making informed decisions, and can provide information, support and advice. Here are just some of the partner agencies we work with to support women.
