400 Trafficked people helped – through friendship, English classes, walks, cinema, art sessions, court attendances, help with forms… this is our work at St Chrysostom’s helping survivors of human trafficking.
We are so pleased with how our work with trafficked people has developed. We have been told we are pioneers in this form of care and support for the trafficked. More than this we have found our church life enriched by a very vulnerable section of the community.
The Clewer Initiative of the Church of England, working to highlight issues of modern slavery, tells us that “More than 200 years after the abolition of the slave trade there are still an estimated 40.3 million men, women and children trapped in modern slavery, and up to 136,000 potential victims in the UK alone.”
Twice a week church is open for our language classes for trafficked people. We also welcome others locally, including the homeless, who benefit from the classes. The ‘classes’ are much much more than learning English. Here those who come find friendship and affirmation, they recover self respect and worth.
At the weekend walks are arranged, or visits to the cinema or café meals to help immerse people in English language, and culture. A special initiative recently has involved work with an artist at the Whitworth Gallery, who has helped some of the men create their own works of art. The images here show some of the artwork on display in church.
Such work is a blessing for our church as we serve our community, as well as being enriching for those who volunteer. We are pleased to have a small but dedicated group of volunteers, led by Alan, one of our churchwardens. The volunteers include members of our own church, and more – we have Roman Catholic sisters helping, and people of Muslim or no faith too. In addition we welcome a group of sixth formers from Manchester Grammar School to help – they recently won a special award for their work with us.
Of course we’d love more volunteers – so get in touch if you can help in any way!
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