Posted on: December 4, 2023
MASH stands by women in Greater Manchester who are involved in sex work or experiencing challenges like homelessness, addiction and gender-based violence. MASH is a local charity, offering non-judgemental support to improve health, safety and wellbeing.
We take MASH services to women where they are at and provide support from our welcoming drop-in centre, our MASH van, in the community and over the phone. Women tell us that MASH helps them to feel safer, listened to, empowered and that in many cases it is a ‘lifeline’.
“I feel safe to be me at MASH” – Emma
“For 20 years of my life, MASH were the only people that knew whether I was dead or alive.” – Colette
How long have you been going?
Since 1991. MASH started during the HIV/ Aids crisis and we are still here today
What has been the greatest reward since being with the charity?
Meeting and getting to know the women we support at MASH is very rewarding. They are all unique, funny, strong, amazing women.
How can people get involved?
We are keen to hear from people interested in volunteering. You can get in touch with Solomon@mash.org.uk
If you’d like to support the women, fundraising or donating to MASH is an amazing way to do so.
We also always need items like knickers, tights, socks and leggings in sizes 6,8,10 as well as toiletries, hats, gloves etc
Any big things happening within your charity in the next month you’d like to shout about?
We always look forward to our Christmas Dinner in the MASH drop-in. We serve delicious home cooked meals with all the trimmings, put on some festive tunes, play games etc. It’s usually a great atmosphere.
We’ve also got our MASH team away day soon where we’ll get together as staff, volunteers and trustees to look ahead to next year. It’s always a great opportunity to reflect, take stock and look after ourselves. It’s taking place at Castlefield Viaduct – we’ve had a great partnership ‘blooming’ with them this year. Women visit the park most weeks, do some gardening and spend time in nature. They also created some lovely hanging baskets which have spruced up the outside of MASH.
Next year some MASH women will also be involved in writing a book. So watch this space!
December Fundraiser – The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Today, we face some of our greatest challenges yet. More women are turning to sex work or are returning to sex work after a long time away from it. More women are coming into MASH starving and in survival mode.
Support services are being cut and others are stretched to breaking point. So it is vital that MASH can continue to provide that practical and emotional support to every woman who shows up at our door and on our van.
If you set up a monthly gift to MASH between £2 and £50 by Tuesday 19th December your kindness will be doubled for four months, so you are supporting even more women. Thanks to a group of generous donors, the kindness of new and upgraded monthly givers will go twice as far for Christmas and beyond (while the fund pot lasts).
Find MASH website HERE
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