Our Beginnings
In 1995, a small number of projects working with people involved in prostitution made contact informally to share ideas and information. These projects shared a common commitment to working at grass-roots level in an effort to offer both hope and support to people working in the sex industry. It soon became clear, however, that new projects were being established and that there was a need for advice, support and mutual encouragement.In 1998 a conference was organised to train, encourage, and support both new and developing projects. In 1999, the NCAP network was officially launched and a development team was formed to include managers and team leaders from various projects nationally. This then led to the formation of a registered charity in 2003 to facilitate collaborative working and ensure continued growth.
The NCAP Affiliate Network
The NCAP network has grown rapidly over the years and is now made up of over 50 projects across the UK along with strong relationships with many projects overseas. These projects are managing to reach over 4,000 people involved in and affected by prostitution.Based on the principle of shared responsibility among our affiliates, the aim of the network is to facilitate the exchange of information, skills, knowledge and experience. Affiliate projects will be able to give to and access an ever increasing ‘shared pot’ which will not only assist in the development of work in this field, but also connect people who can offer mutual support to each other. Within the affiliate network, we have created regional groups which enable projects to share successes and challenges with others in their respective geographical areas.
The NCAP network today
The NCAP network is an operating activity of Beyond the Streets, although the charitable trust which facilitates the network, until recently also operated under the NCAP name.
In 2008 the registered charity underwent a name change to ‘Beyond the Streets’. This change followed an organisational review which concluded a new name was required for the majority of work undertaken by the trust. Beyond the Streets was selected as the new operating name to communicate more clearly the belief in the possibility of life beyond prostitution. Through changing the charity name, it has been possible to communicate afresh the values, hopes and direction to which the charitable trust is committed. Further information can be found at www.beyondthestreets.org.uk
For many the NCAP name is familiar and represents the specific partnership work with outreach projects within the UK. For this reason the name, ‘the NCAP network’ is being retained for the work with the affiliate network of grassroots projects.