The ‘MASH van’ is one of the most crucial services we offer.
It’s a service specifically for women who are sex working on the streets of Manchester at night time. The van is a source of friendliness, safety, emotional and practical support.
“You feel safer when it’s about”
“For a while, MASH were the only people who knew whether I was dead or alive”
“We know it’s just for us. They always remember me, even if it’s been a few weeks. That really makes a difference to how I feel.”
- The van is a warm, a safe place to step onto and speak to someone in confidence
- Women can access free condoms, personal attack alarms, food and drink, essentials like gloves, hats, clothing and toiletries
- Women tell us that when the van is driving around the beat areas they feel safer
- Many women step onto the van and disclose that they have been assaulted or raped whilst working so the team can offer immediate emotional and practical support and can drive women away from the area
Here is a short video of the MASH van team in action. The story they shared at the end about a woman they helped find a hotel for the night really demonstrates how important the van is.
We are raising funds to purchase a second MASH van so that we can take the service to women working in other parts of Greater Manchester.
Would you like to help us hit our target for the new van?
On Tuesday 14th May at midday our crowd funder goes live.
Contributions made via this link will be DOUBLED by the Big Give https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002SEW9RAAX
So for every pound you chip in, MASH will receive £2 towards the MASH van. So £10 becomes £20, £50 becomes £100.
We are extremely hopeful that our amazing community will help us reach that magic total so that we can purchase the second MASH van and reach even more women.
Thank you for reading and for your support.
