Our story

At Orchards our vision is to see women free from sexual exploitation. We are a Christian charity working specifically with women who have been involved in prostitution and those who have been trafficked for sexual purposes. We come alongside women as they overcome multiple barriers in their journey from exit through to independent living.

Orchards was born out of the prayers and dreams of two friends and colleagues who had walked alongside women in their journey away from sexually exploitative situations through to independent living. We had seen first-hand that a lack of housing was both a reason for entry into exploitative situations and a major barrier to exit. We saw women who were not selling sex out of ‘choice’ but who had stories of abuse, coercion, poverty, violence and homelessness that had led them to this point. We were inspired as we saw the women’s courage, beauty, strength and potential. 

After five years of prayer, research, planning and consultation with other projects in the sector, Orchards launched as a charity in August 2018. 

Since then, we have set up safe properties, support work and counselling services with our first church partner and a second counselling hub with another church partner in a different location. Our online counselling reaches women right across the UK. We are now working to set up a new housing hub with a third church partner in a new location.

Thank you for journeying with us,