Our scheme provides accommodation by matching survivors of modern slavery with volunteer host households. This is an independent, voluntary, adult to adult living arrangement facilitated by Hope at Home. Every host has been assessed, trained and undertaken a DBS check. We support the hosts to provide a safe and secure home and give an opportunity to begin to rebuild their lives. Hosts offer a private bedroom and shared use of their home. Hosts are not able to provide any professional services to their guests.

A placement is when you are matched with a volunteer host who offers you a safe and welcoming place to stay in their home. This could be for a few weeks or months, depending on your needs and circumstances. During this time, you’ll have your own room and support from your host, support worker and Hope at Home. We’re here to help you feel settled and supported as you take the next steps in your journey

We take safeguarding you and our hosts really seriously. All of our hosts have had a home visit, undergo in depth training, and we ask for 2 references and DBS (police check) all our hosts too. We want you to feel safe during your placement too. You have the opportunity to meet your hosts online before a placement starts. This is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you have to us and/or the hosts.

Your support worker will be able to give you more in depth information, but you should expect to be transferred to a new support worker and agency. When you have their details, please let us know and we will also get in touch with them.

Each host has put together a Guest Agreement which includes things from us at Hope at Home that will help you while you’re in placement and also contains house rules that are important to each host and their household. As your referral progresses, we will send you this and you are able to ask us and the hosts questions about it too.

You will continue to receive support by your support worker in the NRM (or a new support worker if you’re relocating). We are support workers for the hosts. Our role is to recruit, train and support hosts while they have a guest in placement. You can speak to us about your placement and we will contact you a few times during your placement too. You’ll mainly speak with our Housing and Move-on Coordinator, however your support worker will remain your main contact.

Hosting placements can be useful for a next step for you from a safehouse before living independently. Our hosts are all volunteers and may have a set time they are able to host for. We also want you to grow in independence, so we try to keep placements to the agreed length whilst you work on your move on plans. We, with your support worker want to encourage you to feel safe and welcomed whilst being hosted and become confident for your next accommodation. Our Move On Coordinator will also be working with you to support your move on plan and discuss your options.

Placements vary in length due to the commitments our volunteer hosts may have. You will be told how long your placement is expected to last before you meet with potential hosts. Some guests need a placements for a few nights, some for a few months. On average, our placements last 3-6 months.

If you have the appropriate visa and rights to work, you can work while you are hosted.

You can end the placement at any time. We would like you to let your hosts and us know if you are planning to leave before your placement is planned to end, so we can support you.

No, guests do not need to pay any rent whilst they are hosted by Hope at Home.

We love to hear your feedback – the good and the things we can look at improving. We’d love for you to speak to one of the hosting team, but we also know you may prefer to complete something online. You can complete our feedback form here.