As we mark Social Work Week themed ‘Compassion and Action’, Families In Harmony reflects on the gaps in understanding among public sector professionals – social workers, psychologists, education establishments, for Black and Asian heritage children’s experience in the children’s care system.
Anora’s recent Best Picture win at the Oscars perfectly coincided with International Sex Workers’ Rights Day, marking a powerful moment for the sex worker community. Rosie Hodsdon reflects on this moment and highlights the importance of allies using their platforms to showcase support for the community. Rosie is part of our Spokesperson Network and an advocate for sex workers’ rights at Basis Yorkshire.
The UK government has announced a £75 million compensation scheme for LGBT+ veterans dismissed under the pre-2000 “gay ban,” offering payments of up to £70,000. This long-awaited decision, championed by Fighting With Pride, acknowledges the profound harm inflicted by this unjust policy, which devastated countless lives and careers.
The film Nightbitch, which has already caused a stir at festivals, opens in cinemas on December 6th. Maggie Gordon-Walker shares why she believes it is destined to become a must-see film. Maggie is a Writer, Performer, Director of the charity Livestock and the project Mothers Uncovered. Mothers Uncovered is a Sussex peer-led organisation that supports women in matrescence (the transition to motherhood) with creative groups led by past participants. Campaigner for better postnatal care for mothers. Maggie is part of our Spokesperson Network, a community of grassroots leaders with direct experience of social injustice, driving change.
Jeanly is part of the Future Voices programme in partnership with The Voice of Domestic Workers. Jean grew up in the Philippines, and left home to work in Cyprus in 2020, and her employer brought her to the UK in 2023. Fortunately, she was able to escape the abusive situation with the help of the Voice of Domestic Workers, where she is now an active member, specifically involved in the education group. In this blog, Jeanly reflects on Raging Grace (2023), a British horror film which tells the story of an undocumented Filipina immigrant who lands a job as a care-worker for a terminal old man.
Fahima is part of the Future Voices programme in partnership with The Voice of Domestic Workers. Originally from a farming family in Philippines, Fahima sought work abroad to support her family but faced exploitation and abuse in Riyadh and then in the UK. With support from VODW, she escaped her employer’s mistreatment and now advocates for the rights of migrant domestic workers. Fahima’s journey shows the essential need for fair treatment and protections for workers like her, who are too often invisible yet crucial contributors to society.
Rosemarie is part of the Future Voices programme in partnership with The Voice of Domestic Workers. Driven by her family’s needs, Rosemarie endured long hours, withheld wages, and mistreatment in a foreign country. With support from VODW, she finally escaped her abusive employer and found safety. Now part of the Future Voices programme, Rosemarie advocates for change, hoping to transform the system for migrant domestic workers and fight for a secure future for her family.
Danalyn is part of the Future Voices programme in partnership with The Voice of Domestic Workers. In this blog, Danalyn reflects on her journey from the Philippines to the UK, where she faced exploitation as a domestic worker. She shares how the lessons from her childhood, especially the value of patience, helped her survive years of abuse and hardship abroad. With the support of VODW, Danalyn escaped her abusive employer and is now an advocate for domestic workers’ rights, using her voice to fight for equal treatment and justice for migrant workers.
Mary is part of the Future Voices programme in partnership with The Voice of Domestic Workers. In this blog, Mary shares her journey from her upbringing in the Philippines to her escape from modern slavery. She reflects on the struggles her family faced, her work as a domestic worker, and the abuse she endured while employed by a powerful family in Dubai and the UK. With the support of VODW, Mary found the courage to escape her abusers and now uses her voice to advocate for the rights of domestic workers and raise awareness about modern slavery.
Jean is part of Future Voices programme in partnership with The Voice of Domestic Workers. In her blog, she shares her journey from the Philippines to the harsh realities of working abroad, where she faced exploitation and abuse. Despite these challenges, Jean has found empowerment through advocacy and solidarity. With the support of VODW, she is now fighting for the rights and dignity of domestic workers, calling for better protections and fair treatment for all.
