Although Art is Freedom 2021 has come to an end, we still want to share with you some of the amazing activity from the past week and how you can play an active role in ending modern slavery.

Over the last week, we've welcomed Hestia staff, service users, supporters, corporate partners, VIPs and the general public to see some beautiful art and learn more about modern slavery. If you came to see the exhibition, thank you. If you didn't, you can catch up with some highlights here:

The exhibition was opened by Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally. The ceremony was attended by survivors of modern slavery and leading staff members of Hestia's Modern Slavery Response Team. 

On Wednesday we had the pleasure of welcoming Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie to see the exhibition and meet our service users. The Princess is co-founder of The Anti-Slavery Collective and we're looking forward to working together again soon.

Rachel Maclean MP, Minister for Safeguarding also visited to admire the art and speak with some of the survivors of modern slavery we support. 

We closed the week with an artists awards ceremony for each of our service users involved. The awards were handed out by Dame Sara Thornton, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Dr Joanne Woolway Grenfell, Bishop of Stepney and Kathy Betteridge of The Salvation Army. 

Listen to the audio recording of 'Hope' the poem

If you have attended our Art Is Freedom exhibition in Paternoster Square, you may have read 'Hope', a poem written by one of our contributing artists.

You can now listen to an audio recording of 'Hope', read by the writer herself, below.

Download the Spot the Signs toolkit and Art Is Freedom screensavers

Modern slavery is happening in all of our communities, and we all have a role in helping to end it. Learning how to spot the signs is one small, easy step we can all take to do our bit.

Download the free Spot the Signs toolkit below, which includes social media graphics and videos to help raise awareness.

You will also get exclusive Art Is Freedom screensavers which you can set as your background to mark Art Is Freedom week from 18th to 25th October.

Download the toolkit and screensavers now

About Hestia’s Modern Slavery Response Team

Hestia supports over 2,200 adult victims of modern slavery and 1,200 dependent children each year through emotional and practical support.

We work with survivors both through pan-London outreach support and through safe house accommodation across London and the south east.

Hestia’s volunteer-led Phoenix Project also provides long-term support to survivors of modern slavery as they integrate into the community and begin to move towards a life beyond crisis.

We also campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect victims and survivors of modern slavery. Our Underground Lives series explores issues faced by specific groups of survivors, such as pregnant women, children of survivors and victims of criminal exploitation.