COVID-19 Grants: SafeSpace London

COVID-19 Grants: SafeSpace London

SafeSpace volunteers in front of their Rectory Street location

SafeSpace is a volunteer run, community-funded support centre for sex workers, allies, and women & gender non-conforming individuals in crisis. Offering harm reduction, first aid services, access to supplies and other vital supports, SafeSpace tirelessly works to ensure that some of our community’s most vulnerable people are able to live and work safely and with dignity.

In order to respect physical distancing guidelines, SafeSpace was forced to close their peer drop-in space, meaning that community members no longer have access to cleaning facilities and peer-support. An increase in demand due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation has also put a strain on their resources.

“We immediately opened our mandate to serve all genders who presented at the door requesting needed items, adding to the already increasing demand,” says Jaimi Forbes, who sits on SafeSpace’s Board of Directors. “Combined with losing two thirds of our volunteer force, a huge burden has been placed on our remaining volunteer pool to ensure ongoing support is available to our community.”

A $15,000 grant from the LCF COVID-19 Response Fund will allow SafeSpace to purchase and provide the supplies many in our community need to safely navigate the pandemic.

“The grant greatly increases our ability to meet the emergent needs of our community,” says Jaimi. “We’re so grateful for the support – it’s such a relief knowing our community is there for us when we need it most.”

While the grant allows SafeSpace to address their immediate needs, they still require continued financial support from the community. If you’d like to give to SafeSpace directly, please visit their Facebook page for more information on how to donate or contact them via email at safespacelondon@gmail.com.