2024 Wrapped: Snowdrop's Year in Review
As 2024 draws to a close, we look back on another busy year at Snowdrop.
This year, we supporter more survivors of modern slavery than ever before, with 161% more individuals supported across our services compared to 2023.
We couldn’t have done it without your support. To everyone who donated, fundraised, became a Friend of Snowdrop, volunteered their time or simply helped spread the word about Snowdrop – thank you!
Casework
In 2024, 123 survivors of modern slavery accessed Casework support at Snowdrop. Of those who accessed Casework support, 97% engaged with this service at least once per month for six months. To meet this unprecedented demand, we also ran 129 Drop-In appointments, so that individuals can quickly access Casework support when needed.
We saw demand for Casework surge dramatically this year. By the end of March, for the first time ever, we had a Casework waiting list of nine individuals.
Without support and advocacy, many survivors face overwhelming barriers to independent living, including ongoing police investigations, mental health issues and legal issues. Snowdrop’s caseworkers provide advocacy, practical and emotional support for survivors, working with them to create a plan to move forward with their lives. Caseworkers can provide support with police investigations, ongoing legal battles, housing, benefits, education, employment, reducing isolation, family life and wellbeing. They are fundamental in advocating for survivors to ensure they have access to the support they require to stabilise their lives, whilst they continue to recover from their exploitation.
Counselling and Complementary Therapies
In 2024, we supported 36 survivors through our Counselling service. 29 clients also accessed shiatsu, 26 clients accessed acupuncture and 12 clients attended trauma-informed yoga sessions. We also provided free childcare and interpreting for clients who need these services, to remove key barriers to accessing support.
At Snowdrop, Counselling helps clients cope with their situations and process the psychological impact of exploitation. Our Counselling service works from what is called the ‘bottom up’ approach in response to trauma symptoms and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Snowdrop offers three different Counselling pathways, depending on the needs of the client. In all pathways, the client is in charge of the speed and pace of Counselling. Clients can decide to stop Counselling at any time, and re-enter by self-referral when they are ready again.
“Through Counselling at Snowdrop, I am learning to be my own person and recognise abusive behaviour. In the two-plus years that I have been with Snowdrop, I truly believe that I have grown as a person both mentally and emotionally.” – Snowdrop client
Community activities
In 2024, 110 adults and 66 children benefitted from 25 Community Activities.
Community activities help survivors build confidence, make new friends and reintegrate into the community. Clients are also able to meet people, learn new skills and make connections in a safe and welcoming environment. Our community activities include our weekly Toddlers Group, sewing classes and ESOL, as well as one-off workshops and events such as equine therapy, floral arrangements and our annual Christmas party.
After attending equine therapy, my client messaged me to say she had been having a difficult morning, but that spending time with the horses had made such a difference to her wellbeing.” Snowdrop Senior Caseworker
Renovations
In 2024, we completed five house renovations. When survivors are provided with permanent accommodation, usually through the local authority, it’s often in need of a deep clean, and all accommodation is unfurnished. To meet this need and help survivors transition into independent living, we work with the survivor and enlist a team of volunteers to clean, paint and furnish their house, making it into a safe and comfortable home.
“I’m so grateful to all the volunteers for the sacrifices they made to come and paint my flat for me, to make it a home I can enjoy...They changed my house, and now it is a home. It’s warm, bright and beautiful.”– Snowdrop client.
It’s been a busy year at Snowdrop, and we couldn’t have done it without your support. From all of us at Snowdrop, thank you and have a lovely Christmas!