TRUST was founded in 1999 as a church and community-based project supporting women involved in, or recently exited from, prostitution in south London. The project came about through two local women regularly seeing women working in their neighbourhood and wondering what services were available for them. This led to meetings with the police and local agencies to get an idea of what was already being provided as well as determining the gaps in service provision.

This wide-ranging initiative now delivers services through street outreach, court work, one-to-one counselling and a drop-in facility, seeing on average 50 individual women each week. The drop-in service provides a place where women can come and have a break from the streets, get a hot meal, a shower, some clothes, and begin to address some of the issues they are facing such as homelessness, drug use, health issues, violence, etc.

Many women have been helped to access safe accommodation, drug treatment and counselling, and most importantly, have found a place where they can receive much- needed emotional support and friendship. Staff at TRUST adopt a flexible approach to their work, meeting women where they feel most comfortable and tailoring support to meet each woman’s individual need.

We are committed to building long-term relationships of trust. We want to provide consistent support and encouragement for as long as it’s needed. We want to be more than just a service provider to them. Many of the staff and volunteers at the project have a Christian faith, and all actively support the organisational ethos and the emphasis that TRUST places on relationships.

As a Christian, I want to follow the life and example of Jesus, which I believe is demonstrated by standing up for the socially excluded and making a noise where injustice is found. It also means being non-judgemental and providing opportunities that increase the choices women have to make changes in their lives. We aim to be a prophetic voice, challenging the structures and social systems that perpetuate injustice and the oppression of women.

In terms of expressing our faith we feel this is best served by how we live our lives. It is known that we are a faith-based project but we do not discuss spirituality unless a client initiates a conversation. Many women have spoken to us about their own faith, shared with us their awareness of God and asked for prayer for themselves and their families. I have felt humbled when women, often homeless, struggling with so much in their lives, make comments about the goodness of God and how they feel God is watching over them. I find it hard to think that I would have such grace and gratefulness in the same situation.

Prayer is a key part of the life of the project and TRUST is linked with a number of local Churches and individuals who provide prayer support. Churches can also be a source of volunteers and financial giving.

The project has developed a reputation in the local area for being professionally run with a strong commitment to a multi-agency approach, partnering with a number of local organisations and chairing Lambeth’s Prostitution Action Group. We enjoy working alongside other agencies, we all need each other to provide the best service to the clients and it’s great when we can share resources and skills.

The project’s development of a Court Diversion Scheme (November 2003) has been described as “innovative” and “a model of best practice”, and was highlighted in two recent Government consultations, ‘Paying the Price’ (2004) and ‘Solutions & Strategies’ (2004).

This Home Office funded scheme places TRUST workers at Courts, where they are able to offer the scheme to women who have been charged with soliciting. The scheme is optional and if the women opt in and attend two appointments, their case is discontinued and there is no fine to pay.

Fining or imprisonment does not