17/07/2025
It’s hard to put into words what I saw and felt last night.
Being out with the Nelson Trust SWOP team, I witnessed a side of Gloucester I’ll never forget the dark, hidden corners of the streets where women sell s*x just to survive.
Each of these women has a story. A journey that led them here.
And despite the pain, the fear, the loneliness… there’s also cheekiness, resilience, and gratitude.
We handed out goody bags filled with food, drink, wet wipes, condoms small offerings, but so gratefully received. Their eyes lit up. Their banter was full of character.
But behind it all was a deep, constant state of survival.
I was shocked at how little they receive for full s*x.
Shocked at how present addiction and trauma are.
Shocked at how normalised danger has become.
And yet, I was equally moved by the care, respect, and trust the SWOP team builds with these women.
This isn’t just a job — it’s a mission.
They check in on wounds caused by toxic drug cuts, ensure women are taking antibiotics, set boundaries with love and firmness on the streets and back at the women’s centre. They log where the woman are staying so they know where they are.
One of the hardest moments was seeing where one woman sleeps a makeshift shelter built from wooden pallets, hidden under a walkway. It broke my heart. 💔
This is not a choice.
These women once had homes, families, children. Something happened… and the streets became their only option.
And then there are the predators one of whom I saw last night. Unassuming. Almost academic-looking. But beneath the surface, enabling horrific abuse from his home. This is the reality.
As someone who’s usually tucked up in bed by 10 pm , I couldn’t believe how busy the streets were late at night — a whole hidden world in plain sight.
Please… if you see someone homeless or selling s*x don’t look away. Offer a smile. A moment of humanity.
They are human beings. With a soul. Just like you.
I’m still processing everything but I’m looking forward to my next shift. To keep learning, witnessing, and showing up with compassion.
