History

The Magdalene Group was born out of a vision given to two Norwich Magistrates, Doreen Betts and Doreen Green in 1992.  As magistrates, both Doreen Green and Betts regularly sat in court, frequently, dealing with young women who were brought before them charged with being ‘common prostitutes’ and breaking the law. Both ladies were deeply moved by the plight of these young women who had no support, little education and only knew of relationships which abused and used them. Often, the only way they had of raising the money to pay their fines was to go back out on the streets. Many times Doreen Betts would silently pray for these young women who came before her that God would send someone into their lives who would show them that relationships could be built on trust and unconditional love. As she left court one morning, Doreen was overwhelmed by the realisation that this was a task that must not be the sole responsibility of the courts and social services but must be undertaken by Christian churches.

As a very junior magistrate she knew that she needed help and guidance before she could begin such an undertaking.  She approached Doreen Green, a member of the Norwich Bench with many years experience in the courts and a wealth of knowledge concerning the extensive range of agencies in the City. Both women were well aware of the bold and difficult step they were contemplating and they knew that by putting her good name and reputation at risk, however, they decided that they could not ignore the call.  They agreed that if one girl found her way out of prostitution, such efforts would be worthwhile.

The Birth of the Magdalene Group

Letters were sent out to the leaders of twenty Christian Churches in Norwich, asking them to identify women in their congregations who might be interested in setting up a steering committee to explore the possibility of establishing a support group for prostitutes. Following several monthly meetings of prayer and intense discussion about the way forward two things were decided; firstly to change the name from Prostitute Support Group to The Magdalene Group and more importantly, to set up a training programme in order to widen their knowledge and help them understand some of the challenges they might face. There were talks from the many agencies which had contact with the working girls; the police, medical personnel, social workers, the probation service and legal representatives, not to mention the experiences of one or two women who were working in prostitution.  A project in the Red Light District of Amsterdam was bought to their attention which was doing remarkable work with prostitutes. The decision was taken to visit the area and see at first-hand what could be achieved.

Amsterdam

The trip to Amsterdam was undertaken by five members, who spent the weekend visiting two Christian projects working with prostitutes.

Youth with a Mission (YWAM) was run by a team of young people who worked with ‘window prostitutes’. The members of the Magdalene Group were introduced to very young Fillipino and Asian girls who had been brought into the country on the understanding that they would be given waitressing jobs. Instead, they found that their so-called benefactors withheld their passports and curtailed their freedom, putting them on display in windows for the sole purpose of prostitution.

The following day was spent visiting a Catholic Mission where the nuns provided a place of help, support and acceptance. The Sitting Room was beautifully furnished, with comfortable seating and flowers and plants on the tables. In the basement there were medical examination rooms and a dentist’s surgery where volunteer doctors and dentists offered medical and dental care to the girls who all talked about the humiliation of accessing statutory treatment and often being made to feel worthless, like dirt!

It was this second project which fired the imagination of the Amsterdam visitors. Returning to Norwich they enthused about what they had seen, knowing without doubt that this was the way forward; that a scheme such as the Sitting Room could work well in Norwich. It was agreed that the next step would be to raise a considerable sum of money and that the best way to do this would be by becoming a Registered Charity. It was also necessary to seek out suitable premises in the Red Light District of Norwich from which a Sitting Room could provide all the facilities of the Amsterdam Mission. It was at this time that an old redundant church St.Peter Parmentergate, in King Street, right in the centre of the Norwich Red Light District was highlighted as a possibility.

A Sitting Room in Norwich

The Church had no electricity or running water; it was filthy dirty and full of junk and spiders’ webs. However, they knew without a doubt that this was the place they were looking for! The members of the steering committee faced a huge challenge. Should they raise the money to cover the costs of the restoration before they began the work? Or should they step out in faith confident in the knowledge that God’s hand was in the Charity? It was agreed to put their trust in God and begin the work immediately. It was an amazing journey. God was with them all the way. Never once did a bill arrive which could not be paid. Sometimes a bill and a cheque to cover it would arrive in the same post.

The restoration and transformation of the two vestries into a Sitting Room took about six months. A big arched oak door provided entry to the property, which was later to become the symbol of the Magdalene Group; a doorway to a new life. On the ground floor a small kitchen, a shower room, and toilet facilities were designed and installed. Upstairs a new carpet covered the floor and a three piece suite and carefully chosen small occasional tables gave the feel of someone’s home. The final effect had that WOW factor!

The opening celebration was attended by a wide range of people; city councillors; clergy from local churches, volunteers, friends, family and supporters and well-wishers. It was agreed that they were looking at one of God’s miracles. The Sitting Room opened completely free of debt.

The Work Begins

Gradually the girls began to visit the Sitting Room and learnt to trust the people working there. It was a big step for them to take. They came from a life of abuse and humiliation where they had been made to feel worthless and unloved. They had never before met people who would give without wanting something in return. Seldom before had they experienced unconditional love.

Recognition

With the opening of the Sitting Room, The committee decided the time had come look for a Project Manager. Following rigorous interviewing, Theresa Cumbers was appointed who was already acting as a Volunteer. Theresa’s special talents ensured that the work of the Magdalene Group became known very quickly throughout Norwich and beyond. Social Services, the Vice Squad, medical workers, the Norwich housing department, local councillors all became aware of the professionalism and unfailing commitment of the dedicated band of volunteers which made up the Magdalene Group. The volunteers offered their support to the clients who had hospital appointments, who needed help with finding accommodation or the advice of a solicitor. The Sitting Room became the focus of a “drop-in” centre which was open two days a week providing a place of help for many of their problems, comfort and security and acceptance. One of the highlights of the clients’ week was the Wednesday morning visit to a swimming pool arranged by a group of volunteers. The Outreach Team went out one night a week with a vehicle driven by one of the men. The volunteers would offer hot drinks and words of comfort inviting the women to visit the Sitting Room.

The Group was delighted when the Right Reverend Graham James, Bishop of Norwich and the Right Reverend Peter Smith, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of East Anglia both agreed to be Patrons. When Bishop Peter was appointed Archbishop of Cardiff he very graciously agreed to continue his patronage. His replacement, as Bishop of East Anglia, the Right Reverend Michael Evans, was happy to continue in the footsteps of his predecessor and he too became a patron. When he took up his appointment as Archbishop of Southwark in 2011, Archbishop Peter agreed to give further support to the charity as patron. The patronage, help and wise advice of all three Bishops has been greatly appreciated and highly valued by the Group.

Growth

The Project Manager and the Trustees were constantly looking for more ways to provide the clients with as much help as possible in their quest for a new life outside of prostitution. On discovering a scheme in the USA, it was decided that the Chairperson and Project Manager, would take a fact finding journey. The visit provided the outline for a new management plan which would include offering the working girls computer skills, art and craft lessons, how to budget the housekeeping and cookery lessons. All were designed to prepare them for a life away from prostitution.

By 2001 Theresa Cumbers had become one of the founder members and a Trustee to the National Christian Alliance on Prostitution (NCAP) and the Magdalene Group was very soon affiliated.  NCAP now has 56 affiliated groups from around the UK providing a valuable support and information forum for all those charities working to help men and women caught up in prostitution.  The Magdalene Group contributed to the production of the Home Office Publication “Prostitute Review-Paying the Price”. The review cited the Magdalene Group as demonstrating best practice in its programme of rehabilitation of working girls. This review highlighted the fact that street based sex workers should be classed as vulnerable adults.

The Work Continues

One aspect of the work which the Trustees had not envisaged in the early days was the need to visit working girls in prison. The nearest women’s prison is in Peterborough eighty miles away. Consequently, staff and volunteers found themselves making monthly trips to Peterborough.

As the work grew, it became obvious that larger premises were needed. Over the years, it had been necessary to rent various other properties as well as the original “Sitting Room”. Now the opportunity had arisen for the Trustees to consider having all the work, office, “drop-in sitting room” and training facilities under one roof. Premises were available at the King’s Centre immediately opposite St Peter Parmentergate Church. Through the generosity of the King’s Centre Trustees, the Magdalene Group was able to afford the very reasonable rent.

Public Recognition 

It was with great pride that, in 2003, the Charity received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award. Only three such awards for unsung service to the community were given in the East of England. In 2005, as president of the Royal Norfolk Show, the Right Reverend Graham James, Bishop of Norwich chose the Magdalene Group as his charity and granted the group free space at the Show. This opportunity was used to sell the crafts made by the clients in the Drop-In Centre and put up display boards explaining the work done by the Charity.

Tributes

The success of the Magdalene Group has always been through the dedication and co-operation of all personnel. Trustees, staff and volunteers have shown great commitment over the years, always putting the client group’s needs at the heart of all decisions.