One25 reaches out to women trapped in, or vulnerable to, street sex-work, supporting them to break free and build new lives away from violence, poverty and addiction. The charity works with around 230 women each year who face multiple disadvantages across all nine pathways (Corston Report). One25’s 19 staff and over 120 volunteers provide three holistic services which meet each woman ‘where she is’: night outreach; drop-in; and casework.

One25 runs a mobile van and on-foot outreach service each week-night, providing nutritious food and drinks; first aid; warm clothing; condoms; safety alarms; a needle exchange service and more. Teams provide crucial information about known perpetrators of violence through anonymous ‘Ugly Mug’ reports and signpost women to emergency accommodation and further support. The majority of the women seen on outreach are homeless, so this service also acts as a valuable postal system for getting messages between service users and agencies.

The drop-in centre is a women-only space where women can come in the daytime and get more in-depth support. Drop-in offers a hot, home-cooked meal (menus suggested by service users); showers and laundry facilities; new clothes; the opportunity to get healthcare without appointment (including GP and sexual health nurse) and crisis intervention. There is a program of creative, therapeutic and educational workshops each afternoon, ranging from the Freedom Program to ceramics classes to boost their self-esteem and life skills. Women can also take part in the monthly service user forum to share their views and shape services. They can see a caseworker and/or visiting professional who helps to address their individual needs, e.g. getting into drug treatment.

One25 also offers one-to-one casework, supporting each woman in taking steps to improve her quality of life and acting as a personal advocate when necessary. Our 6 caseworkers hold specialisms in each area of need: criminal justice; housing and finance; violence and abuse; drug treatment; mental health; severe and complex need; and crisis support. They help the women to establish themselves in the basic aspects of life such as securing a safe place to live and then meet regularly to work on achieving their longer term goals. Referrals for casework support can come from anywhere including self-referrals.