Ella’s: Helping trafficking survivors to rebuild their lives

“Having a safe home means that the women can focus on their recovery and wellbeing, process their trauma and look ahead to rebuilding their lives.” Read more about Ella’s and the safe house it’s bought with a Charity Bank loan.

Social Problem

There are at least 100,000 survivors of trafficking and modern slavery in the UK [1]. Many of them were brought here as children and have had little education or training. They may have been forced into sex work, crime or unpaid work, imprisoned and subjected to abuse. If they escape their abusers, they often end up homeless, with no friends or family to protect them, and few life skills or qualifications.

Organisation

Ella’s works with female survivors of trafficking and exploitation. The charity offers a bespoke package of care to each woman it works with. Some of the women need help learning basic skills like using a computer and managing their money. Some need help to apply for asylum or benefits. Most need long-term support to process their trauma.

A key part of Ella’s work is providing safe houses. Gemma Heard, Social Enterprise Development Manager at Ella’s, explains, “Having a safe home means that the women can focus on their recovery and wellbeing, process their trauma and look ahead to rebuilding their lives. And some of these women really do need to be in a secure, secret location for their own safety.”

Loan

Ella’s leases most of its safe houses but has bought its first property with the help of a Charity Bank loan. Gemma shares, “In the long run, owning rather than renting is better financially for the charity. It will also give us a lot more flexibility when it comes to the women we take in.”

Impact

Most of the women will stay in their safe house for 12 to 18 months, building their confidence and skills until they’re ready to live independently. Even then, Ella’s will be by their side, offering counselling, advice, signposting and other support so they can continue to grow and rebuild their lives. As one survivor said,

“We’re a small charity and quite early on in our journey. It was our first time doing anything like this, so it was all new to us. Charity Bank offered advice and guidance and handholding, which was so useful. I really value the relationship that we’ve built with the team and how patient they were.”

Gemma Heard, Social Enterprise Development Manager at Ella’s

“I had been through so much. I suffered a mental breakdown, spiritual abuse and physical abuse. I felt hopeless. Before I got here, I was really shattered emotionally. But [Ella’s] just took me as their child and they have nourished me to become the person that I am today. They are so caring and I am so happy to have been here. I just feel really grateful that I’m not in this alone.”

Marie, Survivor of trafficking