Inspiration from across the network

At our National Network Gathering, we were fortunate to have an incredible panel of activists to share their experience of modern slavery awareness raising, training and survivor care.

It was a real highlight to hear from Helen Hodgson of Hope at Home about the survivor hosting scheme she has pioneered; Laura Johnson of Compassionate Communities about raising awareness across the Diocese of London and Sion Hall (PLASP) about forming an Anti-Slavery Partnership in Lancashire.

Gillian Rivers, one of our newest trustees and an experienced lawyer and modern slavery activist, chaired the session, asking each of our panellists to share their story and some of the challenges they face. The panel then welcomed questions from the room and many delegates took the opportunity to ask more detail about specific projects or how to respond in different situations. PLASP’s Freedom Bus generated a lot of interest!

In the afternoon, we heard from Julie Christie-Webb, the interim CEO of Strength & Stem, a social enterprise charity that uses floristry to help female modern slavery survivors become restored from their trauma and empowered for the future. The room was gripped as Julie told us how Strength & Stem has seen many women nurtured and equipped for new opportunities.