Liverpool residents will be able to receive free, confidential support with money, housing, benefits and other life pressures through a new city service linked to local reproductive healthcare services.
Liverpool City Council’s Public Health team is commissioning Citizens Advice Liverpool to deliver the 18-month pilot, which is expected to begin in October 2026.
The service recognises that everyone’s circumstances and experience of abortion are different. Some people may want practical advice, some may need help with several challenges, and others may not need any additional support.
Taking part will always be a personal choice. Anyone who uses the service will be listened to without judgement and will remain in control of the support they receive.
Depending on their circumstances, residents could receive help with:
- Money worries and debt
- Benefits and employment
- Housing difficulties
- Childcare and caring responsibilities
- Health and emotional wellbeing
- Accessing legal advice
- Finding appropriate health, welfare and community services
We know that people accessing reproductive healthcare can sometimes face wider challenges that affect their wellbeing, finances, housing situation or family life. Abortion care is an important part of reproductive healthcare, and like other healthcare services it takes place within the context of people’s everyday lives and circumstances. The new offer will connect directly with local reproductive health services, making it easier for residents to access practical support without having to navigate multiple organisations themselves.
Reproductive healthcare, including abortion care, is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. The service will respect each person’s healthcare decisions and individual circumstances, offering compassionate, practical support where it is needed. The focus is on helping people feel informed, supported and empowered, while ensuring additional help is available when they choose to access it.
Staff will recognise that people from different backgrounds may face different barriers to seeking help. Support will be inclusive and sensitive to each person’s age, disability, culture, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity and personal circumstances. Translation and interpretation will be available where required.
The service will also help people access specialist support safely where there are concerns about coercion, controlling relationships, exploitation or abuse.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:
“Everyone’s circumstances are different, but nobody should feel they have to deal with financial, housing or other difficulties alone.
“This new service will offer Liverpool residents a safe and trusted way to access support through reproductive healthcare services. They will be treated with kindness and respect, without assumptions being made about how they feel or what support they need.
“It is about listening to the individual and helping them access practical support that could make a real difference to their life.”
Councillor Rahima Farah, Assistant Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:
“When people access reproductive healthcare, they may also be dealing with other pressures in their lives, whether that’s concerns about paying bills, insecure housing, work, childcare or caring responsibilities.
“Too often, finding help for these issues can mean contacting multiple organisations and having to explain your situation again and again. This service will make it easier for residents to get the support they need by connecting them with trusted advice in a simple, confidential and compassionate way.
“At its heart, this is about helping people feel supported, reducing stress at what can be a challenging time and ensuring they can access practical help that improves their wellbeing and quality of life.”
Professor Matthew Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council, said:
“Money worries, insecure housing, employment difficulties, isolation and caring responsibilities can all affect a person’s health and the choices available to them. By making compassionate, confidential support easier to access, we can improve wellbeing, reduce inequalities and help residents have greater control over their future.”
The new service supports Liverpool’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy and wider work to improve women’s health. This includes improving access to contraception, sexual health services, STI and HIV testing, reliable information and safeguarding support.
People using the service will be invited to provide confidential feedback. This will help the council and Citizens Advice Liverpool understand what support residents find most useful and inform future services.
More information about how to access the service will be published before it launches.
