The Centre is committed to supporting the development of educational opportunities for survivors of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking (MSHT), working alongside sector professionals to apply for funding and contribute to the design and delivery of educational programmes.
The Horizons Summer School (Horizons) is an educational programme, the first of its kind in the UK, which aims to address the challenges in accessing educational pathways for survivors of MSHT.
Horizons is a model for educational provision over the summer period when other conventional education providers are closed. Developed in response to research findings that highlight barriers to education for survivors and the importance of education for recovery, the programme consults with partners in the sector, including those with lived experience, to ensure it meets the needs of the students
Horizons 2021 and 2023, have welcomed survivors from different countries and cultures including from Albania, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Somalia, Pakistan, Nigeria, DRC, Taiwan, Romania, and the Philippines.
Horizons’ curriculum provides opportunities to explore a wide range of subjects, the programme includes classes, workshops, and seminars on:
- career pathways
- civic engagement
- community activities
- creative arts and craft (Drama, Fashion upcycling, Macramé)
- creative writing
- digital skills
- employability skills (apprenticeships and work pathways)
- ESL
- floristry
- life skills (such as building confidence and positive self-acceptance)
- life stories
- Nutritional science
- Public Legal Education
- Sport science
- student wellbeing.
The programme also features talks and workshops by survivors from across the UK who have progressed into further education, apprenticeships, and employment.
Each year the curriculum is enriched by partnerships with a range of organisations and community programmes that enhance the overall educational journey.
Horizons 2023 benefited from the partnership with Kew Gardens Community Learning Programme. Students attended a three-day course ‘Introduction to Horticulture’. The course introduced students to new learning and a unique green space in London they had never heard of or visited before.
Other external partnerships and activities have included attending poetic workshops with RaPal, and in 2023, the annual Migrant Help Conference, ‘Building Bridges’. Workshops with Unseen Tour explored employment opportunities as a London tour guide. Unseen Tour suggested special tours could be developed that included specific areas of London that are linked to the historic slave trade and how these communities are visible today and have enriched London. Additionally, there would be the opportunity for current survivors to talk about their own experience of London, and how they feel they are contributing to London communities now.
These external enriching activities not only add value to the curriculum but also provide students with valuable networking/employment opportunities, fostering a holistic and engaging learning environment.
Following Horizons 2023, the Horizons team were able to offer extended support for alumni for six months post-graduation, supported generously by charitable donations. If you would like to support the Horizons Summer School, please email bakhitacentre@stmarys.ac.uk.
Download Horizons Report 2023
Download HSS Evaluation 2021