January 2026 Update
Happy New Year, from POW.
As we ascend into 2026, we’d like to thank our partners for your continued support and friendship and share some updates as we look forward to the year ahead. 2025 was unexpectedly difficult. Staff changes and leadership gaps placed pressure on the team and disrupted service delivery. Although some community-based projects have continued.
Whilst Partner organisations stepped in to fill the gap, you report a significant void without POW—particularly affecting the mental and physical health of vulnerable sex workers. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and goodwill.
We remain a passionate and vibrant charity, deeply committed to supporting sex workers and the wider community. Despite the challenges of last year—including the closure of our building and a significant reduction in services—our dedicated staff continued to work creatively and resiliently following our AGM in May 2025 which led to this reset.
So, at the start of this new year, we are pleased to be able to share with you, the work that we have been doing, and which is ongoing, to get POW’s services up and running, and the centre open again.
Organisational Review and Strategic Reset
Following the AGM, the Trustees initiated a comprehensive organisational review over the summer. This focused on health and safety, financial risks, and future funding. As a result, POW is undertaking a strategic reset to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
Key priorities include:
Developing a New Strategy and Recovery Plan
With support from Lloyds Charity, POW is creating a refreshed organisational strategy. This includes:
• A consultation process (Nov 2025 – Jan 2026) with sex workers, partners and other stakeholders to include a strategic planning workshop with key partners
• Market research via surveys and focus groups
• A full strategic framework covering purpose, services, staffing, and finances
• Completion of the strategic plan by end of January 2026, followed by CEO and other staff recruitment
A special thank you to all of those that have been involved so far.
Funding and Financial Planning
A substantial funding bid has been submitted to cover the next three years. The outcome is expected in April/May 2026. A fundraising plan aligned with the new strategy is already underway, again supported by Lloyds Charity.
Building Safety and Repairs
Our building remains temporarily closed while we carry out work to ensure the building can continue to be fit for purpose. Necessary repairs are being scheduled, whilst completion dates cannot be confirmed yet, works are expected to be completed before the outcome of the funding bid.
Commitment to Recovery and Collaboration
POW has committed to:
• Reset and rebuild to deliver essential support services
• Create a resilient, adaptable organisation ready to seize future opportunities
• Work closely with partners to co-design service delivery and rebuild trust
The harm caused by service disruption has been most acutely felt by sex workers. Addressing these impacts with urgency and compassion is our top priority. Together with our long-standing partners, we are determined to restore and strengthen POW’s role in the community.
June 2025 Service Update
This statement is to confirm the Board of Trustees has made the decision to temporarily pause POW operations. This measure is being taken to address concerns raised at our recent Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Under new leadership, the Board is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability. We have proactively referred the concerns to the Charity Commission and have commissioned a review and support by qualified third parties, unconnected to POW, to thoroughly investigate these concerns.
Operational services at POW have been temporarily suspended to allow for this process to commence effectively. The suspension of services is under review, and we will reintroduce services as soon as we are able.
We are dedicated to supporting both our staff and service users during this period of change and improvement, as best as we can. Support services are being provided to our colleagues, and a dedicated contact number will be available for service users requiring urgent assistance, as well as sign-posting to other services.
We have undertaken a health and safety review and are looking to appoint an Interim Chief Executive Officer in the coming weeks.
We acknowledge the need to communicate with our stakeholders and that some misinformation may be circulating. We therefore recognise the critical importance of rebuilding trust with all our stakeholders – staff, service users, and the wider community, and we thank you for your support to POW so far.
Whilst we do this we would kindly ask any people or groups external to POWs core team of staff to refrain from purporting to be representing POW, its services or decision making.
We are fully committed to taking all necessary actions to ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainable improvement within POW.
We understand you may have questions and will provide further updates as the situation progresses.
Matt Rooney
POW Chairperson