The Station was lit with draped fairy lights, pink and purple balloons, plate upon plate of mouth-watering homemade cakes and delicious nibbles. As attendees poured in to mark our 30th anniversary, the atmosphere came to life: old friends greeting each other for the first time in years; former colleagues reminiscing about their time at One25; long-term supporters eager to hear the latest news about the women they so loyally stand by. We were thrilled to see so many familiar faces who have paved the way for One25 to exist for the past 30 years – and of course our wonderful founder, Val Jeal.
A table with a timeline of standout moments from the last 30 years showed guests some truly remarkable memories: a photo of the women who created One25 in 1995, pictures of the ‘custard tart’ – our original outreach van – and awards and bananas reminded us of the incredible journey One25 has had.
As we were ushered into a room with rows of chairs and a lit-up stage, we were treated to some classic tunes from singer Lilia Dandache on her guitar. Eventually, our compere, Chair of the Board of Trustees Rachel Clark, came to the stage to open our evening’s proceedings. In her welcome speech, she listed the many ways individuals have contributed to and participated in the One25 journey, highlighting the unique stories each person has brought and how individual efforts combine to create a powerful collective impact. She ended by saying:
‘Our theme is hope in action. Hope is not passive; hope is persistent, gritty and refuses to give up. Hope is love in action.’
We were then shown a video – no visuals, just words, both spoken and written. They were quotes from women who had used One25 services, connected by a common thread but spoken by different women, years apart. Looking around, there were certainly a few glistening eyes!
Rachel then sat down with two former Chairs of Trustees for One25, to ask questions about their time with the organisation, the moments that stand out in their memories, and how they would describe One25 in one word. ‘Heart’ was one word that stuck out – how it is has always been in the centre of our work and that hasn’t changed.
Next on stage were three outstanding women from Bridging Gaps. The Co-production Coordinator was first to introduce herself and the lived experience group at One25. She handed over to one of the women, who spoke openly and honestly of the realities of life as a street sex worker, what it meant to her to come to One25 and work with her IDSVA, and how she has remained close to One25 – getting involved in fundraisers and now as a Bridging Gaps member. We then heard from another woman about her journey of homelessness, domestic violence, loneliness and how she felt when she first saw the van. She said:
‘One25 has never left me. They ran with me, they fought for me and with me, they cried with me, they’ve been there for me.’
It was extraordinary to hear words from the women who have been through One25’s services and continue to thrive. To hear about their struggles, their triumphs, the obstacles they have overcome, and to see them commanding the attention and emotion of hundreds of people in a room was powerful.
Finally, we heard from our lovely CEO, Jenny. She delivered a rousing speech, full of heart, passion, and sentiment. It was a dedication to the successes One25 has reached over the last 30 years, as well as a fervent call for the changes we still need to see. She explained what must change – how systems need to work together to bring real transformation and help the women they are currently failing. She told us that the most important factor in improving women’s experiences of services is ensuring that their voices and lived experiences are at the very centre of the conversation from the start.
It was impossible to leave this event without a smile on one’s face and passion in one’s belly. Reaching 30 years of One25 has been such a poignant milestone. It causes one to stop and think of all the women who have passed through One25’s doors – be that van or drop in, health hub or Peony. The reasons we are needed by them, and the journey we still must continue, until all women feel safe and loved.
