17. Helping survivors of trafficking get online and get connected with data packages - June 2020


Snowdrop was nominated by one of our members after their excellent work came to their attention via Instagram. Snowdrop is a brilliant charity set-up in 2012, which helps to empower survivors of human trafficking to ‘live lives no longer defined by their past’. They have around 40-50 clients at any one time and provide one-to-one, long-term support that is tailored to meet the needs of individual survivors to empower them to move on from their past. Support can last from a few months to a few years, depending on the need. There is a big variety of need too, though it won’t be surprising to hear that mental health support is quite a common one, after such trauma.

 

The Snowdrop support offer usually kicks in after the statutory 6-8 weeks support period victims get, in safe houses. The project was set up after their founder – who had been working in safe houses – found that there was a real cliff edge for survivors after the safe house period had ended. After no time at all people were being thrust back into the world with limited, or no support. So the Snowdrop Project, which began in Barnsley but now also has roots in Sheffield, aims to fill that gap. The organisation offers a range of support, from counselling and English classes to support entry into education and/or employment, to renovations of council properties (which are often in bad shape, without furniture etc) and community activities that allow survivors to build local friendships. This support is carried out either by Senior Caseworkers or trained Volunteer Caseworkers who are supported by Volunteer Befrienders.

 

COVID has obviously been a strange time for the service, which relies so much on face-to-face contact with people to both assess their needs, to gain their trust and to find the best support possible. The project is in the process of accessing some digital devices to ensure that their clients can get support a lot easier (e.g. talking to their social worker), can have access to online English classes, home schooling for their children and college courses etc. In order for that to happen Snowdrop have purchased some dongles so the clients can get wifi from them onto their devices. 


These cost £18 per month and they have 21 clients who will be benefiting in this way. So 500 Together has paid for one month of data for 21 clients and their children. This will allow clients to access support much more easily from their caseworkers, to maintain the support networks they are gradually developing and to continue their education online, which will support them in developing a more secure future. 


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