The Freedom Quilt Project

In 2022, Sophie Hayes Foundation started its second decade of helping women survivors of modern slavery. As Liberty's recent charity partner, together we're encouraging the charity’s network of women survivors of modern slavery to participate in the Freedom Quilt – a creative project to raise awareness of the barriers to sustainable freedom for thousands of survivors of modern slavery in the UK, and to raise vital funds so that Sophie Hayes Foundation to continue its mission of creating a better future for every woman survivor, through coaching and training, to build their confidence and employability.

For the outstanding commitment to sustainable freedom for survivors of human trafficking, Sophie Hayes Foundation presented Liberty with the inaugural Partner Up Legend Award at their 10th-anniversary celebration.

"Our vision at Sophie Hayes Foundation is a society that views and treats survivors of human trafficking with respect and allows every freed survivor to realise their potential, achieve their goals and a better future," Red Godfrey-Sagoo, Chief Executive Officer of the Sophie Hayes Foundation, shares. "Liberty customers epitomise the best of a caring society. Your support has meant survivors feel respected and wanted, whilst building paths to a better future. On behalf of each survivor and everyone at the Foundation, thank you for making our vision a reality for so many"

By donating in-store at till points and online, our Liberty customers have already helped to raise over £100,000 as part of the 1000 Women initiative for Sophie Hayes Foundation. Now, after bringing together women survivors for a launch event held at Liberty in August, a special quilt will be sewn by the graduates and current participants of Sophie Hayes program across London, Manchester, and Birmingham. Each regional quilt will be stitched together to make one national Freedom Quilt which will travel to regional exhibitions and London, before heading to the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool later next year.

The Freedom Quilt campaign aims to raise £120,000 through donations and by sponsoring each patch of the quilt. Each group session will be guided by quilting expert Jenni Smith, to support the quilt fabrications and sewing training. The quilt will be created using fabrics supplied by Liberty Fabrics, with participants drawing inspiration from the studio’s eclectic collections of floral, geometric and paisley prints.

Sponsor a square or donate today and join us in creating this unique and historic survivor record, helping to raise awareness of the scale and breadth of modern slavery in the UK.