A SUPPORT service for sex-workers in Swindon is to benefit from a funding boost of almost half a million pounds.

The Nelson Trust has received £499,793 from the Big Lottery Fund to expand a project supporting women involved in on and off-street sex work in Swindon and Gloucester.

The Stroud-based trust supports women who are extremely vulnerable, and in very real danger of violence and exploitation and has been running a late night van-based drop-in once a week from their award-winning Women’s Centre in Swindon.

The trust’s head of development, Catherine Oadley, said the funding boost would enable them to extend their reach across Wiltshire and increase the drop-ins to three nights a week.

Each week, the team provides everything from nutritious food and drink to clothes and toiletries, safety advice, sexual health information, alarms and condoms.

“More importantly, there is a listening ear,” said Catherine. “These women are deeply isolated and stigmatised, but now, with The Nelson Trust joined-up approach, they will have an open door to a supportive community and much-needed practical and emotional support at the Women’s Centre.

“Ultimately, the charity aims to get them into their specialist abstinence-based residential rehabilitation, bringing healing from trauma and freedom from the past.

“These women are under the radar and often ignored by society; they are at risk and so vulnerable to violence.

“They’re out there because they have a Class A drug addiction. Our professionals can help them address underlying needs and past trauma.

“We have had such incredible support, and now this extra funding will help us grow countywide. We are so thankful to The Big Lottery Fund for enabling us to reach more women in Wiltshire and get them the support they need to turn their lives around. We really do need volunteers to join our team.”

The funding comes after the team was praised by police officers for their part in putting another violent rapist behind bars. Last year, they received a prestigious award in the Women’s Category at The Howard League for Penal Reform.

More recently, team lead, Sue Lee, was awarded the Assistant Chief Constable’s Certificate of Recognition and a Pride of Swindon Award.

This growing women’s service has also received the backing of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Lankelly Chase and the Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Anyone who would like to volunteer with the trust should email jess.halsall@nelsontrust.com.