This year marks 15 years since Unseen began.
We’ve come a long way since then – through economic hardships, political pressure and conflicts.
Our new Impact Report has a timeline highlighting some key moments over this period.
It also details how we’re supporting victims and survivors of exploitation, and working towards a future free from modern slavery.
None of this would be possible without your help. Donations allow us to provide the care that survivors deserve. A monthly gift of just £15 could be used towards funding our vital services, from our Outreach programme, to our Helpline and safehouses.
Elira’s story
Elira* is a survivor of modern slavery who recently came into Unseen’s services. She arrived at our women’s safehouse nervous and afraid to venture outside. Trauma from her experiences had left a lasting impact, and she feared that people, even other safehouse residents, would compromise her safety.
“I was just staying in my room and not going out. All my world was just in my room. I didn’t want to have connections with humans.”
Elira (pictured above) was feeling lost, scared and abandoned. “I was totally destroyed. I was asking myself what I did wrong in my life.”
However, Elira’s situation began to improve with the support of Unseen’s Frontline team. With their help, she gradually began to feel that she was now in a safe environment.
“The staff from Unseen were very helpful, coming in my room and listening to me when I was very bad.”
Elira is grateful for the support she received from Unseen staff: “They are making us feel important or to see ourselves like a human.”
Elira soon became involved with Unseen’s Survivor Consultants programme, an initiative that not only allows us to learn from those with lived experience, but also provides survivors with work experience and training to help them move into permanent employment. “They make you feel that you have the right to talk. They have the patience to listen to everybody.”
Unseen has helped Elira to feel seen again. “Being involved with Unseen makes you feel comfortable and free to talk and to feel the power in yourself that you have rights.”
At Unseen, we rely on the generosity of our supporters to continue our work. This is something Elira has first-hand experience of. “If you are supporting Unseen, you should think that they are going to support hundreds and hundreds of people like me. Those people don’t have a voice if they don’t have help.”
After one year in Unseen’s services, Elira finally says she has “hopes and powers for the future”.
Together, we can help more people like Elira. Your donations make it possible for us to deliver care, support and hope to survivors of modern slavery across the UK. Please consider giving a monthly gift of just £15 – so we can keep working towards a future free from modern slavery.
*Name changed to protect identity. Image posed by model. Photo credit: © iStock
