Sabrina's story

Sabrina's* story demonstrates the massive impact that removing the housing barrier can have in the journey from sexual exploitation to independence:

Sabrina* has been living in Orchards’ accommodation for one year. She was trafficked for sexual purposes as a young woman from Eastern Europe and was trapped in a sexually exploitative situation for a year. After many failed attempts, she finally escaped from her traffickers. She was then homeless and living on the streets in the UK for 7 years. After she was identified as a victim of Modern Day Slavery, she was in a multi-occupancy refuge for 2 years with round the clock support.

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When she moved into Orchards’ accommodation, it was the first time she had ever lived semi-independently. She was fearful of leaving the house and cooking and struggled to trust people as a result of the trauma she had experienced. She has grown in confidence significantly over the last year, building a strong relationship with her Support Worker. She has a love of horticulture and attended a floristry employability programme through one of our partners. She has discovered local parks she likes walking in.

She has a clear sense of where she wants to live when she moves on from our safe property accommodation and we will be walking alongside her every step of the way to full independence. Her dream is to work part time, live in a house with a small garden and have many cats. 

(*Name changed to protect the identity of the resident, story shared with permission)

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Check out our incredible partners and their work here