We've added more reasons for women to visit our wonderful drop-in service

Another busy day for staff, students and clients in drop-in.

We are always looking for ways to expand and improve the services we offer to the women who come to us for support.

Health is a major issue for most if not all of the women we see here.

So, the fantastic team which runs our drop-in service has added three significant new reasons for women to come to us, most prominently Hepatitis C screening and a sexual health clinic.

These two services are provided by friends of the project, the Hepatitis C Trust and Leicester Sexual Health, an NHS organisation.

Also, a few weeks earlier, we introduced a needle exchange programme. We hope this will reduce instances of needles being carelessly discarded in public places.

Drop-in, which runs throughout the week from a kitchen/lounge area at our home in London Road, is a 'safe space' where some of the most socially excluded women we see can get a freshly cooked hot meal, have a shower and do their laundry.

Before they leave they can pick up some new items from our clothes bank, plus sanitary items and toiletries.

Every minute of contact with these clients is vital. We use this time to gain their trust and to put together detailed plans to help them now and in the future.

READ MORE: Another happy and uplifting day in drop-in: The heart of New Futures

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Our director Della Kagure Brown said: "These are vitally important additions to the services our drop-in team offers to the women who come to us for our help.

"Drop-in is there for the most vulnerable women in our community. The more reasons we can give them to come here the better.

"Health is a major concern for them and us, so being in a position to offer Hepatitis C screening and sexual health advice is a big step forward for the project."

Louise Cooke, who manages our drop-in service, has also introduced weekly arts and crafts days, as well as 'pamper' sessions for drop-in clients. Most recently, she has introduced weekly Zumba classes.

Specialists from drug and alcohol treatment charity Turning point already come to our home in London Road, Leicester to support clients one-to-one.

Leicestershire Police's sex worker liaison officer is a regular visitor and is a much valued ally and advocate of our work.

The New Futures Project offers a comprehensive welfare and counselling service for women and young people dealing with sexual abuse or exploitation, domestic violence, trafficking, poverty and debt, substance use or mental ill-health.

Call us on 0116 251 0803 or send us a message at: info@new-futures.org.uk

You can find us at 71 London Road, Leicester, LE2 0PE.