Council Leader Arooj Shah meets Oldham’s sex workers, to try and better understand their plight.

Oldham Council Leader, Arooj Shah, (pictured right), on a visit to sex workers with Manchester City Mission.

Oldham’s Council Leader Arooj Shah faced a ‘harrowing night’, earlier this week, as she went to hear what the town’s sex workers had to say about their lives and how they might be better supported.

In part of a visit orchestrated by Manchester City Mission and Action Together, Councillor Shah spoke first hand with some of the women, about the challenges and dangers they face.  

Cllr Shah told The Oldham Evening Chronicle; "Understanding the lives of local people and their experience of getting support and help is the most important part of my job" 

She has found that the only way you can really understand, is by taking time to meet and speak to people.

“I’m passionate about tackling underlying inequalities across society – it has been the basis of much of what I’ve tried to do as Leader. 

“I know that, because of the nature of the work they do, sex workers and the issues they face can be invisible to many people but those involved in sex work are some of the most vulnerable in Oldham. 

“I asked the incredible team at Action Together how I could learn more about the challenges faced by local sex workers and they put me in touch with Manchester City Mission who run the Restart project.” 

Restart provide an essential support and liaison service with women who are working in the sex trade, providing advice on everything from safety, sexual health to housing and financial support. 

Cllr Shah went on to say: “Tuesday night’s visit was harrowing. The women we met need better understanding and better support from local services and its clear the system doesn’t always work well for the people who need it most. 

“Sex work is a difficult and often under discussed issue locally and the women working in that trade deserve our respect and the best services we can provide. 

“I’m determined to continue my conversations with Manchester City Mission and try and find a way we can better help these women here in Oldham.

Laura Windsor-Welsh, the Oldham Locality lead for Action Together later tweeted: “Humbling night with @shah_arooj. Out with @ManCityMission to see first hand how their Restart #Oldhamproject supports female sex workers. Grateful for the chance to meet the women, understand how vital the support is and what more needs to be done.”

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