Caritas Westminster is incredibly grateful to Astorg Philanthropy Investments (API), represented and managed by Fondation Roi Baudouin, for their generous support of Caritas Bakhita House, our safe house for women escaping human trafficking and modern slavery.
API’s focus on advancing a healthier and more inclusive society aligns closely with the mission of Caritas Bakhita House. This year, API has prioritised initiatives that improve health and accessibility outcomes for women living with disabilities and/or chronic conditions; an area of significant need we support.
Many of the women who come to Caritas Bakhita House are living with chronic health conditions resulting from prolonged neglect, violence, extreme stress, poor living conditions, malnutrition, and a lack of access to medical care. These challenges often affect both physical and mental health, and require sustained, compassionate support.
API’s commitment will enable us to provide women with a warm room of their own, clean clothing, healthy food, and access to emergency and ongoing healthcare for as long as they need it. Importantly, this support also allows women to engage in therapeutic interventions that help to restore their physical wellbeing and support recovery from trauma to beginning the process of healing.
Jana Schulze from API said of the partnership:
When we learned about the women finding safety at Caritas Bakhita House, we were deeply moved. Many have endured unimaginable hardship, yet here they are met with care, patience and respect.
For us, supporting this work is about more than meeting urgent needs. It’s about giving women the time and space to recover, rebuild their health and confidence, and move forward with dignity. When that kind of support is in place, the impact can last a lifetime — and we’re proud to play a small part in making that possible.
Karen Anstiss, Head of Caritas Bakhita House, said:
Many of the women we support arrive with significant chronic physical and mental health needs as a result of exploitation and abuse. This partnership with API enables us to respond quickly and holistically to provide not only practical essentials, but the time, space and specialist care that women need to heal and rebuild their lives with dignity. We are very grateful to them for their commitment.
Caritas Bakhita House is a safe house for survivors of modern slavery, exploitation and human trafficking. Since opening in 2015, the centre has provided accommodation to over 220 women and 19 babies from almost 50 different countries. Alongside tailored therapeutic and trauma-informed care, the centre also assists women with bringing perpetrators to justice, and has helped to secure a total of 231 years of prison sentences.
Read incredible testimonies from former guests in the centre’s Annual Report 2025.
