MASH, a Greater Manchester charity providing non-judgemental support to women who are sex working, has announced the appointment of Jackie Driver OBE as its new chair of trustees.
Jackie, who is the Associate Director for Equality and Inclusion at Greater Manchester Integrated Care, joined the charity in June.
She brings a wealth of expertise and experience to MASH including key specialisms in equality and human rights, public health, social mobility, disability rights and health inequalities. She was awarded an OBE in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday honours list for her exceptional contribution towards equality, diversity and inclusion.
Most recently, Jackie was recognised for making an outstanding contribution to protecting the public’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic, with her work to address the disproportionate impact of COVID in respect of ethnicity, migrancy and disability in Manchester.
MASH is a local Greater Manchester charity which stands with women involved in sex work and provides expert support around safety, physical and mental health, housing, improved choices and more.
MASH’s outreach van, a specially adapted camper van, is taken out onto the ‘beat’ areas of the city several nights per week. Women can access condoms, food and drink and speak to friendly and non-judgemental case workers and volunteers to get support with anything that is going on in their lives.
MASH also runs a drop-in centre, its own specialist sexual health clinic, offers counselling and supports women with everything from finding a home to reporting violent crimes and navigating the criminal justice system. Its colleagues and volunteers are all trained to work in a trauma-informed and gender-informed approach which is key to its impactful work.
Jackie Driver, MASH Chair of Trustees said; “It is a privilege to be joining MASH’s team as chair of the board. Hearing from the women who MASH supports, it is clear that these services and this approach is fundamental to improving outcomes for women.
“MASH provides somewhere to turn to for women who are pushed to the margins of society and face multiple barriers. Many are surviving through a complex web of traumas including poverty, violence, homelessness, mental ill health and isolation.
“MASH also serves to hold up a mirror to continued violations of human rights in the face of multiple forms of oppressive social power. The safety net MASH provides is vital in the context of the structural and systemic discrimination women are so often dealing with.
“MASH is a critical part of the landscape that addresses the unwarranted inequalities women face. I am committed and hope I can do justice to the important position of chair of this vital organisation.”
Jackie is also a board member of Motability Foundation which aims to make all journeys accessible for disabled people and is interim chair of Action Deafness, which provides specialist, personalised support to Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in their own homes and in the community.
Annie Emery, CEO at MASH said; “During the recruitment process we were blown away with Jackie’s wealth of experience, her passion, ideas, commitment to social justice and her leadership style. We are excited to welcome her to the team and to benefit from her deep care and commitment to the women we meet and support at MASH and to support our ambitions and vision for the next stage of our journey as an organisation.
“We send our heartfelt thanks to Tabz O’Brien, our outgoing Chair, whose vision and exemplary leadership during her tenure as Chair enabled MASH to thrive and grow during one of the most challenging periods in recent history. Tabz developed an award winning board and was instrumental in setting our ambitious five year strategy, which is already achieving key ambitions of supporting more women across Greater Manchester. We wish Tabz all the very best for her next exciting ventures.
“At MASH we are committed to creating a community, space and culture that is welcoming and inclusive to everyone. We know that Jackie will help to hold us accountable on this and in ensuring we move closer to a society where all women have choice, freedom and power.”