About Us  

Background to the project

This project is a direct result of the research in to the needs of sex workers in Blackpool that was undertaken in 2005 by Drugline-Lancashire.

The Sex Worker Needs Assessment highlighted that there are no specific sex worker services in Blackpool so this service is the first of its kind in this area. Sex workers have had to rely on non- specific services such as Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic, the NHS Walk-In Centre, Heal and Body Positive and the Community Drugs Team for provisions. SWOSS hopes to offer a comprehensive and specific service to meet the needs of sex workers.

Philosophy of SWOSS

This service works to promote health and dignity in sex work through support for women and men involved in the sex industry in Blackpool. The approach taken is holistic and person-centred, focusing on the individuals' needs and personal situations. Respect for the community, empathy for the individual and genuineness from the service providers are the founding philosophies of this service with a view to encourage self-confidence and personal empowerment. We hope to offer a friendly, approachable service that is accessible, is sensitive to and responds to the diverse needs of service users.

Our Aim

To ensure appropriate services are accessible to the sex worker community

Our objectives

• To provide a free, comprehensive, confidential service to sex workers, considering involvement or wishing to exit the sex industry through in-reach, outreach and drop-in provisions.
• To provide; information, advocacy, support, referrals to other agencies, basic counselling and advice on all matters relating to personal safety, sexual health, problematic drug use, family planning, social support, lifestyle changes, prevention and exiting from prostitution.
• To identify an appropriate communication tool to assess the individual need of the client in order to promote personal safety, sexual health, support with problematic drug use, family planning, social support, lifestyle changes, prevention and exiting from prostitution.
• To provide a friendly, approachable service that is accessible and is sensitive to and responds to the diverse needs of all service users.
• To promote understanding and awareness in the wider community, amongst other agencies and statutory organisations on all matters regarding prostitution and drug use.