Until I auditioned for a small role in the drama, I could only remember basic elements of the case. Like me, you may remember the hunt for the murderer; you may even remember the name of the murderer (Steve Wright), but you probably don’t remember the names of his victims or anything about their lives other than they were prostitutes.
The thing is, they were not ‘just prostitutes’, they were many things and Gemma Adams, Anneli Alderton, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls were all someone’s daughter.
The production has a stellar cast and gives an insight into the lives of these five women currently consigned to common knowledge as a vague series of names and faces, defined by their work in the sex industry.
They all had something else in common: drug addiction. Ultimately, it was this addiction that led them to their deaths, not prostitution.
Each of the women was known to The Iceni Project, an innovative, pioneering centre that tries to tackle drug addiction in a different way, and its success has been phenomenal.
I recently received an email from Simon Lewis, producer of 'Five Daughters', explaining that Iceni’s local council has made changes to their funding, meaning the Project is now £70,000 under the amount they need to continue their work. As soon as I read the email I knew I wanted to write a post about what was happening.
I had never heard of The Iceni Project until I received the audition scene, which was set in ‘The Iceni Centre’, and I had to research the location. Through my research I discovered the amazing work taking place at Iceni.
Set up in 1999 by Brian Tobin and Patrick Palmer, after they lost loved ones to addiction, they felt the way of tackling addiction they had observed wasn’t working and a fresh approach was needed. Instead of substituting the illegal drugs for legal versions before attempting to wean the addict, Iceni creates a controversial all-round care package to break the cycle of addiction.
Each package is tailored to an individual’s needs because they recognise that one-size does not ‘fit all’ and addiction does not just affect the addict, but people close to them and the community at large, which is invariably plagued by associated crime.
We tend to think that addicts turn to crime to feed their addiction and in essence they do, but it’s not that simple. If you take prostitution as an example, an addict may be working that night because they need to pay the rent, buy food or pay the gas bill the following day, not because, at that point in time, they need to pay for their next ‘fix’. This means that just focussing on the drug won’t change their lifestyle or help them out of the self-destructive situation they are in, they need support to find an alternative way to live.
The murders in Ipswich highlighted this problem, as women who felt there was no alternative still worked the streets, even though they knew a serial killer was targeting them. I remember wanting to shout at the TV as women, who knew they could be next, explained that they would be working the streets that night. If I felt like that as an observer, I cannot imagine the pain of those close to the women who watched those interviews and were equally helpless to prevent their actions. One of the victims, Paula Clennell, was one of those interviewed shortly before her death and this is surely the most painful viewing of all.
However, it doesn’t have to be this way. As part of a tailored package The Iceni Project can help with the cost of rent and household bills, make sure the women are seen by doctors, and even ensure those in need of dental care receive it, as many addicts suffer from decaying or damaged teeth because of their drug use. They provide one-to-one counselling and even offer a range of holistic alternatives in their approach to helping those who battle addiction.
You may be sceptical, but they have been so successful that in 2008 they even received a Guardian award for their work. Click Here to view the article.
After hearing about the financial deficit The Iceni Project is facing, I emailed them and received a reply from Brian Tobin. He explained that the actual deficit is £90,000 and although they have now secured some funding (largely due to the support of individuals and local businesses), they still need to find another £30,000 to continue their work over the coming year. They have been forced to make redundancies and are incredibly vulnerable to any variables in expenditure which may arise.
I cannot help recognising that the role I read only existed on paper because The Iceni Project exists in real life, and although my involvement in ‘Five Daughters’ has ended, I believe the work of Iceni needs to carry on.
“The work they have done, and continue to do, is quite extraordinary - they literally save and change lives of people who are seldom noticed and live right on the edges of society. It would be a genuine tragedy if Iceni were unable to continue their work.”
Simon Lewis, Producer, ‘Five Daughters’
Simon Lewis, Producer, ‘Five Daughters’
If, like me, you would like to make a donation, no matter how big or small, here’s what to do:
Send a cheque payable to ‘Iceni’ to:
Brian Tobin
Iceni
64-70 Foundation Street
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP4 1BN
Alternatively, if you would rather pay directly into their bank account, email me (downstagewrite[at]rocketmail.com) and I can send you their bank details.
Below are links to some of the sources I have used and other sites or articles which may be of interest:
I too did a fair amount of shouting at the telly at that time. Mainly at 'experts' who warned the murderer might start targetting "normal women"
ReplyDeleteAs if this was somehow a greater crime. As if those who are forced to work on the streets are somehow less worthy. Of less value. Less loved.
I was (and still am) livid at those assumptions. And appalled at the size of the deficit. Will do what I can x
Thanks Caroline, I know they really appreciate all donations xx
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