Thank you for joining with us in challenging the labels that women involved in the sex industry carry. Many women we meet say they feel isolated and vulnerable with a low sense of self-worth. We want women to know their great value, to see them flourish, find connection with God and community. Knowing that we have people supporting us in time, money and prayer is much appreciated.
A special thanks and congratulations to Liz O'Neill who has raised over £600 successfully completing the Southampton Half Marathon.
We are looking forward to our Afternoon Cream Tea Fundraiser on Saturday 16 June. Find out more about the event here.
We are delighted to welcome Polly to our team of volunteer chaplains, a second year student Adult Nurse at Southampton University. "I regularly go to Highfield church and love the community there that feels like family. At the beginning of this year, I felt I wanted to serve others in the city but I wasn’t sure where. A friend from Highfield mentioned Amber and I knew I wanted to find out more. I learned I could offer a listening ear and prayer to women who are vulnerable and often in need of hope. Since I have started, it has been humbling and a privilege. Seeing the relationships the chaplains have with the women we meet is incredible. I look forward to growing in confidence and trusting God that He will light up the women’s path with provision, strength and grace. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:5.
We have recently added another massage parlour to our monthly visits. We now take two teams visiting nine parlours in total; six Thai and three Chinese. We generally receive a warm welcome and are getting to know the ladies, particularly those who regularly work there. The language barrier can be challenging and we are grateful to those who have helped us translate leaflets, messages and prayers.
A number of people have joined us recently for on-street outreach to see what we do and it has been encouraging to get their reactions. People have commented on the positive way the women interact with us. It has taken a long time to build up trust with the women involved in on-street prostitution. One woman in particular who barely acknowledged us for a considerable amount of time, now comes over and is very warm towards us. Recently a woman came running up to the car when she saw the chaplaincy team and wanted us to meet her friend who was with her. It is an encouragement that sometimes we might only have the briefest of chats, but these are having an impact.
Cherish started in Southampton in 2017, with the aim of promoting great self esteem and self image in women through creating ethical, natural and holistic skincare products. They also create delicious, anti-inflammatory teas, natural sleep aids and other natural products which help restore a feeling of wellbeing.
Cherish desires to help all women believe they are beautiful and valued and deserve to be cherished. They are running their first wellbeing course helping vulnerable women’s groups learn to make their own skincare and bath products and through doing this build confidence and increased body esteem and acceptance.
We are very grateful to Cherish for their support; they currently donate 10% of their proceeds to Amber. They say; 'supporting Amber is a natural fit for Cherish as we share a vision for seeing women restored, loved and believing they have intrinsic value.' For more information on Cherish and their products please visit http://cherishskincare.co.uk
We recently launched a campaign to increase our regular giving. Thank you to those who have signed up to support us. Would you consider joining them ?
- £5 helps fund an individual gift bag which could contain toiletries, home baked cake, a drink, condoms, rape alarm, info on local services and an encouraging message.
- £20 helps fund a vital one to one meeting with a woman reducing isolation and helping them thrive. This could be a coffee, visit to sexual health clinic, Basics Bank or help with job/education applications or exploring faith.
- £50 helps fund a trained and supported chaplain to regularly visit massage parlours, women on-street and those working in Gentlemen's Clubs.
We wish you many blessings for a great summer.
Nicky, Sharon & Sue