IN the three years since the launch of York women's charity Kyra, it has helped more than 400 women in the city.

The organisation, which offers a range of free services from counselling to assertiveness training, money skills, relaxation classes as well as drop-in sessions, is run by volunteers passionate about helping women.

The women who use come from all walks of life and have experienced a range of problems including domestic abuse and mental health problems, says Yvonne Copley, project manager.

She added: "One woman who was suffering from post natal depression told me that we had saved her life and that of her baby."

When Yvonne founded Kyra back in 2013, she envisaged it as a "second tier" support service for women in need.

"If women are in crisis we are not a crisis team. I expect them to get specialist help if they need it. Once women are finished with that interaction, we are the next stage."

Kyra needs to raise £28,000 to fund its programme each year. Helping raise its profile is Scarborough-born actress and star of Downton Abbey Dame Penelope Wilton, who is its patron.

Dame Penelope will spend the day in York this Thursday, helping to launch Kyra's latest appeal: Our Own Front Door campaign. This seeks to help find and fund a new, larger premises, where more women can be helped.

Kyra is currently based at the Central Methodist Church, St Saviourgate, but is looking for larger premises, which will also have disabled access.

Yvonne explains: "We want our own front door. We share our door with other organisations and groups. We want a place of our own. We also need a bigger space – about 2,000 square feet. Our numbers are up, we have had 400 registered users since we launched three years ago and each year we have seen an increase in demand. We have almost doubled our numbers in the past year."

The new premises would need to be centrally located, with disabled access, and a large room to use for drop-in sessions and yoga classes. It would need a kitchen and rooms for counselling as well as therapy rooms where Reiki and other relaxation treatments can be carried out. There would need to be a larger room for group work too, such as assertiveness training, IT skills and jewellery making.

On Thursday Dame Penelope will meet many women who use Kyra's services as well as attending a special lunch and a Q&A session in the evening.

She will be guest of honour at the Kyra Women’s Project Lunch at The Grand Hotel and Spa from 11.30am to 2.30pm. Joining her in the Grand Boardroom at the hotel will be Yorkshire Business Woman of the Year Kate Hardcastle, winner of 26 national and international business awards for her many campaigns to support women, Sue Reece, chair of Kyra, and Sarah Hill, chief executive of IDAS.

As well as a welcome glass of wine, guests will enjoy a two-course meal of corn-fed chicken breast or butternut squash risotto, with lemon posset and tea and coffee to follow. Tickets cost £42.83 and are available online from eventbrite.co.uk (search under "Penelope Wilton").

Later that evening, Dame Penelope will take part in a Q&A about her career at Quad South Hall, York St John University. Tickets cost £12 and again are available online from eventbrite.co.uk.

Yvonne said Dame Penelope's support was vital in raising the profile of the charity. "Having somebody as prominent is very good, but she gives way more than we ever expected in her warm understanding and interest in what we are doing.

"Her interaction with the women is second to none."

Kyra is also canvassing support to win £25,000 from the Aviva Community Fund. Supporters can vote for the project at: avivacommunityfund.co.uk

Find out more at kyra.org.uk