This International Women’s Day, we caught up with Sarah McIntyre, our Women’s Wellbeing Coordinator. Sarah’s passion and commitment to supporting women in our community are truly inspiring.
In her role, Sarah works tirelessly to ensure that women receive the specialised care and support they need to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. From guiding women through recovery to helping them access vital health and community services, Sarah’s work makes a lasting impact on women’s lives.
Wirral Ways: Can you tell us about your role and its significance?
Sarah McIntyre: It was identified that women in our service sometimes struggle to engage with the service, whether through recovery interventions, wellbeing interventions, or other means. We found that women experience mainstream services very differently from men. Services can feel male-dominated, and this can be daunting and scary when talking about personal experiences and trauma.
For our most vulnerable women, we needed someone approachable with experience working with women to guide them through the service. The beauty of my role is that I’m not only here to help with recovery but also to help them access mainstream services, whether health interventions, community interventions, or other support. I love that my role isn’t limited to just recovery; I help address health needs, get women into the community, and support them in various ways.
Wirral Ways: What are the primary challenges faced by women in vulnerable conditions in our society?
Sarah McIntyre: Many women in our service are vulnerable, but we identified that those in domestically abusive relationships, those who are or have been involved in sex work, socially isolated women, and those struggling with mental health need specialist support. My previous role involved working exclusively with sex workers, and as a trained Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA), I support anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault. My specialist training and experience have equipped me to support these women effectively.
Wirral Ways: How do you address the rights and needs of these women?
Sarah McIntyre: With a background in criminology and a master’s degree in the field, I have come to appreciate the complexities of how women who don’t conform to traditional “nice” categories are often unfairly labelled as mad, bad, or sad. This tendency is particularly evident in cases involving women with involved in the criminal justice system or those in active addiction. I feel privileged to advocate for these women and give voice to their experiences when they are unable to speak for themselves.
Wirral Ways: How many women do you currently support, and how do you manage their individual needs?
Sarah McIntyre: I currently support seventeen women directly. Each woman has individual needs, and I help them through their unique challenges. The flexibility of my role allows me to work at their pace because it’s about them, not me.
Wirral Ways: What message do you have for women who need support but aren’t part of your current group are too scared to reach out?
Sarah McIntyre: Engage and ask for support. Although my role is specific, I can still help with various needs. We are here to help, and it’s about the women that we support, not about us, it’s about them.
Sarah’s dedication and expertise highlight the importance of tailored support for women in vulnerable conditions. Her role as Women’s Wellbeing Coordinator within our service is a testament to the power of compassion, specialised care, and community support. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate people like Sarah who make a difference every day, and all the women she supports.
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