On two occasions I have been involved in Christian ministries which have sought to help women who have been trafficked into prostitution. Accordingly I am pleased to use my blog, written by the visionary founders, to publicise a ministry which helps provide homes with a family to those who have been enslaved in some way as they get back onto the road to independent living. This is also a request for more people to open their doors to help.
What is Hope at Home?
Hope at Home is a hosting scheme for survivors of modern slavery in the UK. We train and support Christians to welcome a survivor into their homes for an agreed time period.
The size of the problem
It’s estimated that there are 136,000 people in slavery in the UK at any one time. Last year, statistics show that 7,000 potential victims of modern slavery were identified and rescued. After rescue, they are provided with government support including safe house accommodation, legal advice, counselling and healthcare. This support typically lasts for only 45 days (although often longer in reality).
Where then?
On leaving the safe house, many survivors cannot legally work or claim benefits, leaving them destitute, homeless and at high risk of being re-trafficked. Many struggle with the English language, have no friends or family here and are still processing their trauma. Some charities provide housing for survivors who can access benefits, but for many there is no other provision except our hosting scheme.
‘Set the captive free’
We felt God’s heart for survivors of slavery several years ago and began to pilot a hosting scheme in our own home. We obtained charity status in January 2018 and rolled this out across the UK.
Now, we equip the Church to live out God’s call to walk with the broken and see their lives restored. We do this by training and supporting hosts, making placements and working with external agencies such as Unseen, The Snowdrop Project and Adavu (for a full list of our partners who provide localised, professional support for survivors see our website).
Training and support of hosts
As hosts ourselves, we know that support is vital so our training includes self-care and how to live with someone affected by trauma. We hold regular online supervisions with a psychotherapist for our hosts to ‘offload’ in a safe environment. We’re in regular contact with our hosts, praying for one another and sharing the joys and challenges of hosting.
The need is relentless. Our vision is for 500 hosts over the next 3-5 years so we’re rolling up our sleeves ready to work hard!
Learn more
To see more about hosting and the difference it makes to a survivor, click this picture
We have seen lives transformed before our eyes as we have loved those who’ve never received love.
- We’ve celebrated birthdays for the first time, giving presents to people who’ve never had them before.
- We’ve made cups of coffee to people who’ve always been the ones serving others.
- We’ve been shoulders to sob on and family to laugh with.
- We’ve watched our guests grow from being anxious, withdrawn and traumatised to confident, loving, fun people who value themselves.
- And all we do is welcome them into our home and love them; being the hands, feet and voice of Jesus to them.
Interested in hosting or volunteering? Please write to us here.
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