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The following is a brief summary of the Swan Partnership's aims, services and staff.
Aims
To address the health and social inequalities experienced by women engaged in the sex industry, and their families, through a multi agency approach. It aims to provide a safe, supported and sustainable opportunity for all sex workers, whether street based or non-street based, to exit from prostitution, and improve life chances for women, children and young people affected by prostitution.
SWAN also works towards improving the quality of life for the local community affected by prostitution, and contributes to the reduction of crime caused by illegal drugs in this disadvantaged area.
Services
The SWAN Partnership provides a range of services and support, both to its clients, their families and to agencies working with this client group.
- Twice weekly out-reach to street based workers (Tues and Thurs evening)
- Weekly drop-in facility at SWAN premises (Tues 1-5pm)
- Visits to off street working women/premises, at request
- A safe women only environment, with washing facilities and spare clothes
- Access to supported accommodation at the NEST
- Help with homeless and housing issues, accessing housing and benefits
- Health advice, information and help with registering with a GP or dentist
- Support with criminal justice issues, and probation appointments at SWAN
- Free condoms and other sexual health materials.
- Fast track, discreet access to sexual health services
- Liaison with the police to continue not to prosecute street sex workers
- Fast track drug treatment and support
- An Ugly Mug scheme to identify violent or abusive clients
- Support with reporting violent or sexual attacks
- Support with social services and family issues
- Support with trafficking or exploitation issues
- Supportive link into other agencies
- Help to access training and education opportunities
- A multi agency young peoples prevention programme, delivered in schools and young peoples settings
- Individual case work with exploited young people
- Training programmes for professional aimed at raising awareness and skills in identifying and addressing links between drugs use, crime and the sex industry
Recognition
The SWAN Partnership has been recognised by the Home Office as an example of national good practice, was awarded a Health Service Journal Award in 2003, and was recently short listed nationally for Partnership of the Year, by the National Criminal Justice Awards, 2007.
The Swan Team
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Samantha Benfield
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Health Improvement Co-ordinator
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Catherine Lessells
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Health Improvement Worker
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Sandra Kiernan
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Probation Service Officer
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Nicki Willis
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Substance Worker
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Sarah Bakewell
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Nest Worker
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Carley Salem
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Tenancy Support Worker
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Ali Lamb
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Young People Worker
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Becca Goodchild
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Outreach driver (Volunteer)
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Contact Details
If you require any further information about the SWAN Partnership, or have any questions you would like to ask, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Telephone:
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01604 633213
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Text:
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07745 036773
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Email:
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swan@northants.nhs.uk
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