Mainliners is bigger today than at any time in our history, both in staff complement and premises for service delivery. The staff team numbers currently circa 30 with an additional compliment of 10-15 volunteers at any given time. We have permanent bases in New Kent Road (London), Streatham (London), Croydon (London), Bath Street in Glasgow and Academy Street in Edinburgh. In addition, services are delivered at a number of satellite bases in the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark in South London.

Historically, Mainliners service delivery was primarily London based, largely due to the demographics of drug use in the capital and particularly in relation to the problems faced by inner-London boroughs. Our south London focus began to shift in 1997 with the establishment of the UK Hepatitis C Resource Centre. As the name implies, this ‘virtual centre’ has a nationwide remit and utilises Information Technology to provide a full range of information and services via the Internet, email and telephone in addition to working directly with professionals and members of the public.
 

Mainliners now operates across the UK in partnership with a range of professionals and organisations across sectors. We do this through a variety of flexible methods and interventions. We work directly with a range of individuals particularly those most vulnerable and at risk in terms of blood borne viruses, sexual health, substance use and harm minimisation. A key remit of our work is information and education which we deliver through training, conferences, events and through our web site. Mainliners service delivery is diverse and is described briefly below to introduce you a little more to the organisation.

Mainliners Outreach Service

Mainliners Outreach Team run a Mobile Needle Exchange in the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark which gives out free sterile needles and syringes. The service also provides information, support and advice to clients on a wide range of issues relating to reducing any possible harm caused by drug use.

Our Outreach Service works in partnership with a wide variety of organisations to safeguard the mental and physical health of clients, as well as assisting communities who struggle with drug use in their area. To this end, we work extensively with Community Safety and Protection Officers and local Park Rangers. We also liaise closely with SPOTs (Street Population Outreach Teams) to enable a properly linked service to be delivered.

Working Women's Service                                                                                              Mainliners Working Women's Team visit sex workers who are based in flats, in saunas or are street-based. Our staff provide advice, support and information regarding sexual health and blood borne viruses and provide practical supplies such as condoms for harm minimisation.

A medical clinic is provided once a week in partnership with King’s College Hospital. This provides a safe space for women who are sex workers to be seen by sympathetic professionals who are aware of what they do and operate a non-judgmental service.

SMART                                                                         

Mainliners SMART is a street level drug service working with people in the south Lambeth area of London. We offer a shared programme of care with GP’s including substitute prescribing. It also offers complementary therapies, a drop-in hepatitis clinic, testing for HIV and hepatitis and a needle exchange. The service offers in-house advice, information and support and refers clients onwards to more specialised assistance where appropriate. Our SMART Team operates a key worker system and can make referrals to residential detox or rehabilitation organisations.

Mainliners Croydon Housing Service

Our Housing Service in Croydon offers advice on housing problems, tenancy issues and drug use. It provides a specialist support service to vulnerable people, particularly those who are HIV or Hepatitis C positive and works collaboratively to prevent homelessness.  We work closely with range of partners to deliver this service including the Croydon Resource Centre.

UK Hepatitis C Resource Centre                                                                                   

Mainliners UK Hepatitis C Resource Centre disseminates information on all aspects of hepatitis C. It does this through web-based resources, a telephone information line, events, training and the distribution of leaflets and posters to raise awareness amongst the public and professionals. The Centre is for absolutely anyone and works in partnership with a variety of agencies to ensure vital messages regarding hepatitis C are communicated clearly in the public and professional arena.

Harbour Volunteer program

The Harbour Project is a volunteer programme based in London. Mainliners is one of three partners who are responsible for the delivery of this volunteer programme. A dedicated Volunteer Coordinator recruits, supports and manages the volunteers and raises the profile of the programme across the London Borough of Lambeth.