Hi Bristol Mum readers! It’s nearly my birthday and I have something important to ask of you all…

Instead of presents this year, I am asking everyone I know – both personally and virtually – to make a donation of any amount to the wonderful Bristol charity, One25.

One25 helps women to escape street sex work in Bristol and rebuild their lives free from violence, poverty and addiction and by donating my birthday I want to help the charity continue to do this.

One25 is still the only organisation in Bristol and the surrounding counties specialising in supporting this vulnerable group.

The charity offers a ‘step away from the streets’: whether it’s for a short respite on its night outreach van, an afternoon in the charity’s St Pauls drop-in centre or permanently with the help of its eight specialist caseworkers.

One25 is also currently hosting the Pause Bristol pilot, supporting women who have had two or more women removed from their care to rebuild their lives.

The charity also works with organisations like Barnardo’s, women’s hostels, local schools and Social Services to prevent girls from entering this damaging lifestyle.

Last year, One25 worked with 242 women, 146 of whom were street-working and 63 were at risk of entering this lifestyle.

• 54 women were prevented from entering street sex work
• 47 exited street sex work (a third of women who were street sex-working!)
• 117 women were in safe accommodation
• 97 were supported to get benefits
• 122 women were supported around their safety; 40 used victim services
• 127 were supported around addiction and drug treatment
• 49 took part in skill-building or social activities; 28 women started volunteering; 13 went on courses in the community
• 13 women were supported during their pregnancy, including linking up with maternity services and improving their health
• 53 were supported around family and parenting

These women are amongst Bristol’s poorest and most vulnerable individuals. Most of the women One25 sees on the streets are homeless (80%), acutely malnourished (92%) and addicted to drugs and/or alcohol (99%), because of this their safety and health is neglected: 100% suffer from chronic ill-health.

Many of these women are deeply traumatised – from childhood abuse/neglect (100%) and the violence of life on the streets.

Yet these courageous women have huge potential in their supportive peer relationships, their creativity and humour and their survival.

Here’s what two local women who have been helped by One25 say about the charity’s work:

“Don’t give up on the women out there, they are lost and in a very dark place. One25 can mean the difference between life and death. I used to pray for their van, to get off the street, have some food, and see someone who really cares for me. I thought that would be my life forever but One25 gave me hope. One25 is so important for when women like me need a way out, a choice.” Rachel

“If it wasn’t for One25 I wouldn’t be where I am today looking after my family, going back into education. Without your support I wouldn’t be alive. You gave me hope when no one else cared about me.” Beth

The charity needs your support to keep doing its important work. Please can each of you make a donation, large or small? It all makes a difference!

Thank you,

Hilary x

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hilary-douglas6