Hope at Home, a national charity providing safe homes to survivors of modern slavery facing homelessness, has today revealed new yearly figures that demonstrate the impact of its hosting programme on both survivors and the hosts who offer them a safe place to rebuild their lives.
Survivors of modern slavery, having faced exploitation and trauma, often experience homelessness and destitution after their escape. Despite an often hostile political environment, Hope at Home aim to not only provide a roof over the heads of vulnerable survivors but to also help them to reconnect with society, to rebuild their confidence and to prepare for a brighter future.
The charity’s programme has achieved incredible results, including recording over 1,100 positive interactions between hosts and survivors, as well as providing life-changing support with basic needs such as shopping, travel and appointments. The data reveals how Hope at Home’s hosts play a key role in supporting survivors of slavery as they work towards recovery.
Survivors have seen tremendous progress in their journeys:
- Community Engagement: 18 different groups attended by survivors
- Education/Training: 11 different opportunities taken up by guests
- Employment: 9 survivors found employment
- Volunteering: 4 guests participated in volunteering opportunities
- Family and Friends: 47 instances of guests reconnecting with loved ones
The numbers reflect the positive, transformative effect that safe and supportive environments can have. In particular, feedback from guests themselves shows overwhelmingly positive results in areas of feeling loved, safe, confident and optimistic.
Survey Results from Guests:
- Feeling loved: 75% at the start of placement, increasing to 100% by the end
- Feeling safe: 82% felt safe at the start, with 100% feeling safe by the end
- Optimism about the future: 75% started feeling optimistic, rising to 100% by placement’s end
- Confidence: 62% at the start, increasing to 100% by the end
Supportive Relationships Between Guests and Hosts:
- Supporting guests with letters: 26 instances
- Supporting guests with shopping: 37 times
- Supporting guests with appointments: 24 instances
- Supporting guests with travel: 38 occasions
- Positive, meaningful interactions: 1,112 times
The charity also provided a range of well-being services for guests to promote both their physical and emotional recovery, with 17 guests taking up gym memberships and 14 guests accessing therapy services.
Helen Hodgson, Operations Director at Hope at Home, said:
“Our work relies on the incredible compassion of our hosts, who provide safe homes for those most in need. These figures are a testament to the positive, lasting impact hosting has on survivors. It’s not just about offering shelter but about offering hope, rebuilding lives and giving people the chance to regain control over their futures. But there’s still so much more to do.”
Hope at Home’s success can be attributed to the ongoing support from both hosts and the charity’s Room Sponsors, monthly givers who support their important work. Hosts are fully trained, receive ongoing support and are provided with a hosting allowance and resources to help survivors feel safe and cared for during their placements.
As Hope at Home continues to expand its hosting programme, it is calling on more people to open their hearts and homes to survivors. The charity provides extensive training to make hosting a positive experience for both guests and hosts.
Helen Hodgson continued:
“We’re inviting people to consider hosting, to play a role in the recovery of modern slavery survivors. The work we do is about so much more than offering a roof – it’s about offering safety, dignity and a chance at rebuilding a life. The more people who can join us in this journey, the more survivors we can help.”
Hope at Home is calling on individuals and families across the UK to consider hosting a survivor and providing them with the chance to recover, find stability and ultimately break free from the chains of exploitation.
For more information on how to become a host or support survivors, visit: www.hopeathome.org.uk/hosting-information
For more information on becoming a Room Sponsor, visit: https://www.hopeathome.org.uk/room-sponsor
