Sunday 30 July, was World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. And with 49.6 million people around the world trapped in modern slavery, including an estimated 100,000 in the UK, awareness of this crime and support for people affected is needed more than ever.
Emily has written a guest blog for the wonderful London Community Foundation to mark the day, you can read it here if you’d like. It reflects on the issue and the vital importance of aftercare for survivors.
It’s a challenging time, with more and more people being made vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation as a result of factors including conflict, climate change and poverty. But we are more determined than ever to continue to grow and reach more women, and in new ways. We see so much hope at Ella’s, and we wanted to share some of that with you today…
New safe house nearly ready
We’ve been busy getting the new safe house ready to open later this summer, and have benefited from some truly brilliant volunteers.
Here’s a recent group from Hyatt UK & Ireland who did excellent work with some flat pack furniture!
Beach trip joy
Around 45 women and children joined us for the great annual Ella’s beach trip this week. A fun time was had by all, despite some aggressive seagulls 😂 George (pictured below right) loved the sea so much that he didn’t want to leave.
Community session success
Our calendar of community sessions and our network of partners continue to grow, building practical and social skills as well as confidence, language and mental wellbeing tools among survivors at Ella’s and from other organisations. Check out these beautiful results from a floristry course with Strength and Stem, and pottery classes with Skandihus. ‘I’m obsessed!’ said Abongs, one of the survivors we work with, reflecting on the classes. ‘Pottery is so calming. It’s almost better than therapy for me.’
As ever, thank you so much for all you do to help unlock freedom among women who have survived trafficking and exploitation. And we hope you have a wonderful weekend.
