freedom for all
Modern Slavery | Violence Reduction | Crime Free Futures
Our Story
City Hearts was founded in 2005 by Jenny Gilpin, with the help of members of a local church, to support women in South Yorkshire with life controlling issues, including addiction and eating disorders. Shortly after, through police referrals, we began supporting survivors of modern slavery.
We have grown rapidly, now supporting hundreds of men, women and families rescued from modern slavery all over the UK. The people we care for are highly traumatised, having suffered terrible exploitation. We offer a range of services from crisis safe houses to long-term support, helping survivors integrate back into society and live independently, in freedom.
In 2018 we partnered with South Yorkshire Police to launch About Face, a programme committed to breaking the cycle of crime. Working in partnership with South Yorkshire Police's Violence Reduction Unit, we developed two projects, ‘Plan B’ and ‘Forging Ahead’, which work towards creating crime-free futures.
We have two partner organisations that are part of the City Hearts’ International family, City Hearts Africa and City Hearts Netherlands. Both are independent charities operating with the same culture and passion to see lives fully restored.
We continually strive to offer innovative and effective support across the United Kingdom and internationally.
Our values
Excellence
We carry an outstanding reputation developed through years of experience and a continual desire to progress.
Positivity
We are hope filled, believing all things are possible in the lives of those we care for.
Transparency
We are accountable to those we care for as well as our donors and our contract holders and do everything with the utmost integrity.
Persistence
We work continuously hard to develop solutions to help those we care for get the best outcomes.
Empowerment
We offer outstanding care that brings independence and lasting change for our clients.
Diversity
Our support for those we care for is not bound by race, gender or sexuality. We seek to provide the utmost care for every life equally.
The Leadership Team
Ed Newton
Chief Executive Officer
Steve Watson
Chief Operating Officer
Amy Bond
Head of People & Culture
Louise Andala
Head of Services
Phill Clayton
Head of Development
Rachael Bird
Head of Finance