Standing alongside women, for as long as it takes- Spotlight on the Dorset Working Women’s Project

For more than two decades, the Dorset Working Women’s Project has quietly and consistently supported women involved in sex work, meeting them where they are, without judgement, and staying alongside them for as long as it takes.

Led by project lead Pauline, who has dedicated 24 years to this work, alongside project workers Becki and Suzanne, the small team delivers outreach, drop-ins, and one-to-one support across Dorset. With just two full-time staff and Pauline working part-time, their impact is rooted not in scale, but in trust, persistence and unwavering care.

The project supports people at all stages of involvement in the sex industry, whether on the streets or working indoors, and offers practical help including safety advice, sexual health support, access to food and essentials, and guidance around rights and reporting incidents. They work in partnership with organisations such as YMCA, St Mungo’s and With You, as well as closely with BCP Council to support those in high-risk accommodation.

But what sets the service apart is its open-ended approach. There is no time limit. No expectation to “move on” by a certain date. Instead, the team builds relationships that can last years, sometimes decades, providing a steady presence through the ups and downs of people’s lives.

Pauline recalls working to support one woman whose journey reflects both the complexity of the challenges faced and the power of long-term, trauma-informed support.

When she first met the team, the young woman was living amid significant instability and exploitation, while also experiencing addiction. During that time, she became pregnant and made the incredibly difficult decision to place her baby for adoption, choosing a path that would offer her child stability, at a time when her own life was anything but.

Pauline supported her through that period, including the impact of her decision, while also helping her to begin addressing her substance use and the risks associated with her involvement in sex work.

Over the years, there were setbacks and progress in equal measure, but the support never stopped.

Seventeen years later, Pauline was still there when the woman took the step to reconnect with her daughter and her adoptive family. Today, she is in stable accommodation, has been sober for six years, and has built a positive relationship with both her daughter and her daughter’s adoptive parents.

It is a story not just of one woman’s resilience, but of the commitment behind the scenes that helped make it possible.

“This work is about consistency and trust,” says Pauline. “Change doesn’t follow a straight line, and it can take many years. Our role is to stay alongside women through whatever they’re facing, offering practical support, but also letting them know they matter and that someone believes in them. Seeing someone reach a place of stability, on their own terms, after everything they’ve been through, that’s what makes it worthwhile.”

The Dorset Working Women’s Project does not shy away from the realities people face. The team describes their role as “finding the hooks”, small, meaningful opportunities to improve someone’s situation, whether that’s ensuring they’ve had something to eat that day, helping them access healthcare, or supporting them to stay safer while working.

Engagement isn’t always easy. Some days, outreach workers may be turned away or told in no uncertain terms to leave. But they return, time and again, bringing hot drinks, food, condoms, and conversation. Because consistency builds trust, and trust creates the possibility for change.

Importantly, the service is inclusive and supports anyone involved in sex work, including men and trans individuals.

At its heart, the project recognises that every person’s journey is different. There is no one-size-fits-all path out of exploitation or towards stability, but having someone who listens, advocates and refuses to give up can make all the difference.

For Pauline and the team, it’s never about quick wins. It’s about walking alongside people for the long term and believing in the possibility of a different future, even when it feels a long way off.

If you or someone you know could benefit from support, you can find out more about the Dorset Working Women’s Project and how to access help here:

https://www.nhs.uk/services/service-directory/dorset-working-women-s-project/N10988694

You can call 0300 303 1948

You can text 07973 235 438