Salvation Army welcomes Hestia to work together to support slavery victims through new five-year government contract

Date: 8 September 2020

The Salvation Army is pleased to announce the appointment of Hestia as a specialist partner to provide support to adult victims of modern slavery in England and Wales through the Government’s new Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC). 

The new and extended contract goes live in Winter 2020/2021, following a period of transition from the current service. It enables The Salvation Army and Hestia to build on relationships and expertise developed since 2011 when the church and charity was first appointed to manage the wide-ranging support services needed to help survivors of slavery as they begin to recover and move on with their lives.

The organisations are now working together to be ready to transfer and extend the support existing survivors already receive to all stages of their recovery from the point of rescue and as they journey towards independent living.

Major Kathy Betteridge, Director of Anti Trafficking and Modern Slavery for The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland, said: 

“We are pleased to welcome Hestia, who has played a key role in helping us to support thousands of victims of modern slavery as they rebuild their lives, bringing important expertise and a shared passion to change the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“We are looking forward to working together in the coming months and years as we introduce new services to meet the increasing numbers of people being referred to us for help.

“Together we will ensure that services are delivered to the highest standards, with the needs and voices of survivors at the centre of all we do.”

Hestia is one of the largest providers of domestic abuse refuges in London and one of the largest organisations supporting victims of modern slavery in the UK. They are proud to be the home of UK SAYS NO MORE, a national campaign to end domestic abuse which launched the ground breaking Safe Spaces initiatives.

For 50 years Hestia has been delivering services, as well as campaigning and advocating nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with. From giving someone a home, to helping them to get the right mental health support, they support people at the moment of crisis and enable them to build a life beyond crisis.

Chief Executive at Hestia, Patrick Ryan said:

“Over the last decade, Hestia has supported over 4,000 adults and dependent children to recover and rebuild their lives after being a victim of modern slavery. Our dedicated team has been proud to walk alongside survivors and in partnership we have built a programme of support that recognises both their needs and their aspirations. We know there is still much more to be done to both support victims and to bring about an end to modern slavery and we are pleased to be able to continue this work through our partnership with The Salvation Army.”

A survivor of modern slavery supported by Hestia said: 

“I would say for me was a big help from my advocate. I really appreciate everything she has done to help me find my mum and sister, to help with my college, to help with my solicitor and many times I changed houses, with my depression. She has given me great support every day, calling and texting every week and asking how I feel and how I am and telling me every time I'm strong and …. I will be better soon.”

For more information, visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk/modern-slavery and www.hestia.org

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Notes to Editors

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[email protected] / 020 3657 7555

The Salvation Army was first awarded the Government contract in 2011 to provide specialist support for adult victims of human trafficking and modern slavery in England and Wales, including safe accommodation, counselling, medical care, translation services and legal counselling. Victims seeking help have been trafficked to or within England and Wales and are referred to the service through a dedicated confidential referral line 0800 808 3733 available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  For more information visit: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/modern-slavery

The Salvation Army is an international Christian church and registered charity which has been transforming lives for more than 150 years. Working in 131 countries worldwide, The Salvation Army offers friendship, practical help and support for people at all levels of need. In the UK and Republic of Ireland this work includes more than 750 community churches and social centres. Registered Charity Nos. 214779, 215174 and in Scotland SC009359, SC037691. For more information visit the website www.salvationarmy.org.uk

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