About the Organisation
Ella’s is a London-based organisation working with women who have survived trafficking and sexual exploitation. We were established six years ago and have been set-up as an independent charity for 3 years.
We are passionate about providing the best care for as many survivors as we can. Our vision is to see people free from slavery and exploitation and our mission is to ensure survivors of trafficking and exploitation have all that they need to recover and build a life that is safe and free.
We provide regular, direct support for around 40 women a year across London and help for many more who are further afield, when they need us.
To support them to achieve this, we offer:
- Safe house accommodation for women when they are at their most vulnerable.
- Care to help them recover and move forward – long term support to continue their rehabilitation and stay safe.
- Long-term community-based support to help survivors build safe, independent lives.
- Campaigning – we support campaigns and initiatives nationally and globally to tackle issues of exploitation and improve the lives of survivors. On a local level, we challenge authorities and work closely with others such as the police and social services to bring traffickers to justice.
We currently run two safe houses in the East and South of London, housing eight women in total.
There is high demand for rooms and when a room comes free in one of the houses, it’s filled within hours. Without a safe place to stay, many of the women we work with would be pushed back towards danger and re-exploitation.
Request details
Ella’s are leasing premises that was originally one building, but which they have now turned into two spaces; one residential and one office. They operate them as separate buildings but it is possible to still pass between the two internally.
This has been agreed with the council and the correct permits are in place for each side of the building. However, the charity has applied to the valuation office to have the building split for tax purposes but this was refused and they have been informed that they didn’t provide enough information.
They are unclear about what is needed and would be grateful for pro bono support to understand the following:
- what information they would need to supply
- whether it is likely they will approve the split based on the information they can supply
- whether there is anything they can do with the building to ensure that they have sufficiently complied with the rules for the split to be approved.
Timeline
ASAP