Author Topic: Doorway Women's Services (Read 8110 times)

Doorway WS · « **on:** 14 January 2015, 09:50:00 pm »

Hi All,

I just wanted to let people know that there has been a change of name for women's services at The Magdalene Group. Our services have been renamed Doorway - on account that the door is always open for women in the adult industry that need practical or emotional support. Anything from condoms and sexual health info to a cup of tea and a tax form!

Please check out our new website at www.magdalenegroup.org to see what we offer.

Any feedback greatly appreciated!!

Many thanks,

Siobhan

Fabulassie · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 January 2015, 12:43:26 am »

I visited your website and it's not clear what you do.

Mrs Mischief · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 January 2015, 12:18:43 pm »

The immediate impression I get from the website is that it is a religious group who assume that all sex workers are exploited and coerced and keen to get you out of that line of work.

If that isn't the case then the Magdalen Group is a terrible name as Magdalen is associated with Catholicism who ran Magdalen centres in Ireland that forced women in to slave labour and removed their babies from them all in the name of love.

amy · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 January 2015, 12:24:38 pm »

The project is part of the UKNSWP and as such has agreed to abide by their ethos - they weren't/didn't they would not be permitted to post here.

Quote from: Mrs Mischief on 27 January 2015, 12:18:43 pm

If that isn't the case then the Magdalen Group is a terrible name as Magdalen is associated with Catholicism who ran Magdalen centres in Ireland that forced women in to slave labour and removed their babies from them all in the name of love.

Did you actually read the thread starter?

Treetop · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 January 2015, 02:27:05 pm »

Just a small piece of feedback from someone in Norfolk, I have avoided the magdeline group largely due to their website as an above poster mentioned, it really does resemble a service for abused women and children. The lack of any description of support provided to sex workers is also off putting, perhaps if they included some info on any practical support offered such as safety, protection, housing and legalities we would be less wary? Alot of their service appears to be aimed at those being forced or trafficked leaving those of us with other issues such as social services, housing and general support but are quite happy to continue sex work feeling uneasy and unwelcome.
Unfortunately people here do still view them as anti - sex work out to save the abused women types. I'm not saying this is the case any more just how some people see it

But it does sound like they are a great charity/ service so keep up the good work, sorry if it seems I'm criticising, I'm not! Just saying how it might seem to a sex worker who is happy to continue working in the industry.

Doorway WS · « **Reply #5 on:** 04 February 2015, 09:59:03 pm »

Hi and thanks to those that have given feedback - it is really invaluable.

I would like to respond by saying that The Magdalene Group was set up by a group of Christian women about 20 years ago - at the time named after Mary Magdalene - a very famous working girl!
However, despite the name of the charity we are not a 'Christian' organisation. We are like many other charities that have their roots in the Christian community such as the YMCA, but without any agenda when it comes to religion and faith. Hence the change of the name of women's services to 'Doorway'. We work closely with the Matrix, the UKNSWP and Ugly Mugs.

We were careful with the recent change of website to ensure that there was no mention of exiting - we are not about encouraging exiting at all - unless we are asked to support with this of course. Our aim is to support women working in an industry that is potentially isolating and sometimes exploitative. We are absolutely about empowering women in the line of work that they are in to be safe, happy and supported.

We really hope that those who think that they wont be supported will give us a call and be pleasantly suprised. We will not judge you as a 'victim', we will greet you as someone who is asking for support and do our best to give it in a way that works for you. That definitely means supporting with housing, benefits, healthcare etc - all those things that are essential to our well being.

Please continue to leave your feedback. It is really helpful.

Best wishes all,

Siobhan

Women's Services Coordinator

Doorway WS · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 February 2015, 10:39:29 am »

Good Morning,

We are hoping to put on some free self defense classes for working women in the area - we are based in Norwich city centre.

I just wondered what people think about this? If people have had positive or negative experiences recently with classes already available etc. They could be day or evening depending on what works best for those coming along.
Also, if you or someone you know is already doing this in Norwich it would be great to know!

Hope you all have a great week and thanks in advance!

Siobhan at Doorway. x

saturnspirit · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 February 2015, 02:14:42 pm »

I have never done self defence classes

I think it would be quite a positive experience though.

Where are these classes being held?

Doorway WS · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 February 2015, 09:06:17 pm »

Hi,

They will be in the city centre - we are based on King Street - nice and central.

Just putting feelers out at the moment but are really keen to get some dates in place in the near future.

Thanks for your feedback!

Take care,

Siobhan.

xx

Doorway WS · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 March 2015, 09:26:21 pm »

Hi All,

Just letting people know that we are out in Norwich red light area on Friday evenings.

Our small team drives a grey Berlingo and will be (discretely!) available for condoms, person alarms, lube, hot drinks, snacks etc. We also have up to date Ugly Mugs information, sexual health info and other stuff! Keep an eye out for us - any contact with us is completely confidential and absolutely no strings attached.

If you want us to come out to where you are working in Norwich drop us a line and we can do this - discreetly of course.

Take care,

Siobhan at Doorway.

Doorway WS · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 March 2015, 03:19:55 pm »

Hi All,

Another query from me! Some of you may be aware of The Magdalene Group from years ago - it has been running a while. However, the support and services we offer have changed greatly over the years (as has the name to Doorway)and I am hoping that you guys will be able to help us shape the support in the future. We have had some very good and helpful feedback about our website - look out for more changes as a response!

So....along side Ugly Mugs info and Self Defence classes we have been thinking of launching a lone working safety device. A bit like a phone app - where you can raise the alarm if you ever need to, speak to a team who will check you are OK and can call help services if you are not. We think that it would be a great way of supporting and empowering women working in the sex industry but would really like some feedback. The idea came about from hearing some of the women in Norwich telling us about some really negative and scary experiences when working.

What do people think? There are obviously lots of factors to take into account but we really want to make sure it works for people and is wanted before we go ahead!

Thanks, as always, for your time and feedback,

Siobhan at Doorway xx

Fabulassie · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 March 2015, 03:30:32 pm »

Quote from: SiobhanMag on 20 March 2015, 03:19:55 pm

Hi All,

Another query from me! Some of you may be aware of The Magdalene Group from years ago - it has been running a while. However, the support and services we offer have changed greatly over the years (as has the name to Doorway)and I am hoping that you guys will be able to help us shape the support in the future. We have had some very good and helpful feedback about our website - look out for more changes as a response!

So....along side Ugly Mugs info and Self Defence classes we have been thinking of launching a lone working safety device. A bit like a phone app - where you can raise the alarm if you ever need to, speak to a team who will check you are OK and can call help services if you are not. We think that it would be a great way of supporting and empowering women working in the sex industry but would really like some feedback. The idea came about from hearing some of the women in Norwich telling us about some really negative and scary experiences when working.

What do people think? There are obviously lots of factors to take into account but we really want to make sure it works for people and is wanted before we go ahead!

Thanks, as always, for your time and feedback,

Siobhan at Doorway xx

This sounds awesome!

Would it be a phone app or would it be like one of those buttons elderly people have in case they fall?

Doorway WS · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 March 2015, 03:51:55 pm »

Hi Fabulassie,

Ha! That made me laugh about the elderly persons button

.

We have been researching apps and buttons and there are pros and cons to both. The main pro with the button or 'micro guard device' is that it does not rely on a smart phone and also will not call for help unless you press the button. With many of the phone apps the alarm goes off if you don't cancel the appointment - could be a nightmare if your appointment goes on longer than expected of you forget (which I do all the time when lone working). The micro button records where you are going and for how long but does not raise the alarm unless you press it or hit it hard against the wall or floor (for example). Once pressed someone will talk to you through the device and you can talk back as if it was a phone.
If you are unable respond they can record what is happening and send help via GPS - if they were hugely concerned about your welfare it could be police or ambulance. Anything recorded would be confidential but may be useful if you wanted to report an assault or crime towards you after the event.

We really hope it could be awesome!! xx

Fabulassie · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 March 2015, 04:31:32 pm »

While a phone app would be cheaper to implement, I can definitely see the advantages to a button device. For one thing, phones are often stolen during robberies. Some bland key-fob looking thing would be likely overlooked.

Doorway WS · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 March 2015, 09:41:29 am »

Good point. The button also has longer charge and can record/be used for chat for up to 4 hours. I will keep everyone posted.

Any other feedback is so welcome!

thanks. x

See also the main SAAFE.info site for more Support And Advice For Escorts

Author Topic: Doorway Women's Services (Read 8110 times)

Doorway WS

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Fabulassie

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