Hestia celebrates 50 years of #LifeBeyondCrisis

In 2020 charity Hestia will celebrate 50 years of providing crisis support for adults and children who have experienced domestic abuse, modern slavery and includes those with challenges with their mental health.

Since 1970 the charity has supported tens of thousands of adults and children in crisis by providing safehouses and refuge accommodation, as well as flagship projects such as domestic abuse campaign UK SAYS NO MORE and volunteer-led Phoenix Project supporting survivors of modern slavery.

The charity relies on over 600 committed volunteers each year to support those who use Hestia’s services; which has grown from a pool of 62 volunteers ten years ago.

Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive of Hestia said:

“Today we support more than 10,000 people each year. Yet we have remained close to our values and the ambitions of those generous volunteers 50 years ago. Our priority is still to meet the needs and aspirations of those who need our support and those who find themselves in crisis so that they can fulfil their potential and have lives beyond crisis”

A new campaign video, ‘#LifeBeyondCrisis’ is being launched across the charity’s social media platforms (@Hestia1970) to mark the milestone. As part of the 50^th Year Hestia is also telling the stories of those that Hestia has supported over the years in a new blog series.

Sara*, a survivor of domestic abuse said:

"It’s been 18 months since I left Hestia’s refuge, and every single thing in my life has changed. There are moments every day where I’m still in disbelief - when I was with my ex-partner, I remember praying for what I have now.  

If I had known about all the types of support available for women and children who’ve experienced domestic abuse, I would have left sooner. The staff at the refuge were just so good: reassuring and non-judgemental, and they listened to what we needed. I still keep in touch with little life updates about new jobs or my new flat."

Activities across the year will see staff, volunteers, people supported by Hestia, corporate partners and supporters get involved and celebrate the anniversary and give thanks to all those who have been part of the journey. This will also include a range of challenge events to raise vital funds for adults and children in crisis. 

Saffron, a resident in mental health supported accommodation, said:

“Before Hestia, I was feeling alone and sad basically. Now I think I’m in a good space. The staff have been there to support me. I’ve become more confident and more outgoing.

Hestia has made me mature. They’ve helped me get back into the land of the living and to realise my true potential. It’s taught me to believe in myself.”

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Notes to editor

About Hestia:

At Hestia we support adults and children in times of crisis. We deliver services across London and the surrounding regions, as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.  Last year we supported 10,766 men, women and children.

This includes victims of modern slavery, women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, young care leavers and older people. From giving someone a home, to helping them to get the right mental health support, we support people at the moment of crisis and enable them to build a life beyond a crisis. We are supported by nearly 600 volunteers across London who provide specialist skills such as art therapy, yoga, IT, gardening and cooking, as well as befriending and fundraising.

We are proud to be the home of UK SAYS NO MORE, bringing together a diverse coalition of individuals, charities, businesses and public sector organisations to campaign for an end to domestic abuse and sexual violence.

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Read our latest stories from Hestia's '50 Voices' blog series

• Tahara's Story: “I bundled our stuff into a bag and, with my two sisters, ran away.”
  
• Sara's* Story: "We arrived at the refuge with just our holiday clothes"

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