This week, Leanne is joined by Jude McMaster, founder of Pearls Project, an incredible Liverpool organisation supporting women involved in sex work and those facing homelessness, trauma, addiction and exploitation.Jude shares how a night outreach almost 20 years ago changed the course of her life, and how Pearls Project is helping women across the city through compassion, practical support and, sometimes, simply being there when somebody needs it most. Leanne and Jude have an important and moving conversation about the women in our city who can so easily be overlooked. Jude's journey began almost 20 years ago when she volunteered on a night outreach supporting women involved in street sex work in Liverpool. What started with handing out sandwiches, hot drinks and essentials gradually became something much bigger, eventually leading to the creation of Pearls Project in 2012. Jude talks openly about the realities faced by many of the women she works with, including homelessness, domestic violence, trauma, addiction, exploitation and what she describes as “survival sex” – situations where women may turn to sex work simply to pay for food, accommodation or other basic needs.But this episode is also about looking beyond labels. Jude explains why Pearls Project focuses on the whole person rather than simply the problems they are facing. From accompanying someone to a health appointment to wellbeing groups, swimming, walks, trips to the beach and even helping one woman rediscover her love of horse riding, sometimes the smallest steps can make an enormous difference. The conversation also explores hidden homelessness among women, the barriers vulnerable people can face when trying to access health, housing and addiction services, and why traditional systems don't always work for somebody living with trauma. At the heart of Pearls Project is a simple idea: meet women where they are, listen without judgement and give them back a sense of choice and control over their own lives.Jude also explains how people across Liverpool can support the project, whether through volunteering, fundraising, sponsorship or donating everyday essentials and gifts. It's a powerful conversation about dignity, compassion and community – and a reminder that behind every statistic is an individual with their own story, talents, hopes and ambitions.
