Monday 18 October marks International Anti-Slavery, a day where organisations and communities come together to raise awareness of the lived experiences of modern slavery. 

To mark the day, we’re hosting Art Is Freedom, an art and photography exhibition featuring work created by survivors of modern slavery. 

Join us at Paternoster Square, behind St.Pauls Cathedral in London, from Monday 18 to Monday 25 October. 

Learn more about Art Is Freedom

“I met my Hestia support worker; he changed my life.” 

Isaac* was selling snacks on the street in Nigeria when a man approached him and said he could help him get a job in the UK. 

When Isaac arrived here, he was forced to work through day and night on a farm and cook and clean for a family. He wasn’t paid, and he was beaten. 

Three years later, he managed to escape, and eventually found support from Hestia. 

Hestia is the largest provider of support for victims of modern slavery like Isaac. In the last decade, we’ve supported more almost 5,000 adults and children to recover from their experiences, through outreach support and safehouse accommodation. 

“I met my support worker; he changed my life. He’s given me confidence, he mentors me, inspires me, and has given me opportunities I never thought possible,” says Isaac. 

“There has have definitely been challenges along the way but I know I’ll overcome them."

Isaac was able to take part in one of our Art Is Freedom workshops, where he met other survivors and learnt photography. 

“Meeting people and doing things with others helped control my anxiety. The friends I made gave me advice on how to cope and it was a release; it stopped me thinking about what happened to me.” 

Now, Isaac is looking to the future. 

“People like my support worker have lifted me up, and now I want to lift others up in return. As I continue to get better, I’m trying to mentor other people and change their lives. I want to show them that no matter what you go through in life, you can overcome it.” 

How you can help to end modern slavery and support survivors 

• Download our toolkit to learn how to spot the signs 

By learning how to spot the signs of modern slavery and raising awareness, you can help more victims to find the support they need. 

Download our Spot the Signs of Modern Slavery toolkit

• Learn more about the realities faced by survivors of modern slavery 

At Hestia, we work with survivors to ensure their voices are heard and their experiences are understood. Read our Underground Lives report series, where we explore the realities faced by specific groups affected by modern slavery, such as pregnant women, male survivors and those trafficked for criminal exploitation. 

Our latest report, 'Forgotten Children', explores the intergenerational impact of modern slavery.

Learn more about our Underground Lives report series

• Fundraise or donate to support survivors 

Your support enables us to provide specialist emotional and practical support for people like Isaac. 

From providing toiletries for survivors when they arrive at our safe houses, to art and craft materials for survivors to learn new skills, your donations and fundraisers help survivors to build a life beyond crisis. 

£50 will provide materials and travel to access meaningful community activities once a week for a month for a survivor  

£250 will give the opportunity for 10 survivors to attend an art workshop by providing materials, and covering childcare and travel costs 

£2,00 will provide a year of support for a survivor through our Phoenix project, an innovative long-term support programme led by community volunteers  

Donate now