Charity Number 1185728 The Together Free Foundation ## ANNUAL REPORT ## The Together Free Foundation For the year ending 31 December 2025 ## **Charitable Status** The Together Free Foundation is a registered charity in England. Charity Number 1185728 **Registered Address** 6 Clarence Road Southend-on-Sea Essex SS11AN **Trustees Serving During 2025** ## **Summary of Objectives and Activities** Between October 2024 to September 2025 there were a total of 338 Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Offences in Greater Essex. This included forced criminality, labour exploitation, sexual exploitation, trafficking and other (Essex Police). The Together Free Foundation (TFF) helps local communities partner towards ending modern slavery and human trafficking (MSHT) within their locality. This is done through establishing Antislavery Partnerships and catalysing community assets to partner towards slavery-free communities. Within the last eight years, TFF has catalysed and is developing three Antislavery Partnerships: a) Southend Against Modern Slavery; b) Chelmsford Against Modern Slavery, and; c) Colchester Against Modern Slavery. Peter Dominey Jackie Raja Gemma Cartwright Sam Goodman Commenced Sept 2025 The charity is established by means of a constitution with trustees appointed by the trustee body. TFF mobilises local charities, community groups, local authorities and law enforcement to find local solutions for local problems of exploitation through: 1) partnership development and collaboration; 2) raising awareness within the community and among at-risk groups; 3) developing and delivering training to community groups and front-line responders; 4) developing referral pathways to ensure the effective safeguarding of victims and; 5) supporting victims and survivors of modern slavery through community-based survivor care. During 2025 the charity employed four-five part-time staff in the equivalent of 1.5 full time roles. The charity relies on volunteer and community engagement, thereby offering excellent value for money for its output. www.togetherfree.org.uk 1 Charity Number 1185728 The Together Free Foundation SAMS _Partnership Awareness Raising Event at Victoria Shopping Center, Southend_ Southend Against Modern Slavery (SAMS) Partnership continued to strengthen multi agency collaboration across the City of Southend during 2025. The partnership worked with statutory partners, education providers, voluntary sector organisations, care providers and local business networks to increase awareness, improve professional confidence and promote coordinated responses to modern slavery and exploitation. During 2025, SAMS delivered 20 professional training sessions across Southend, including sessions for Southend City Council, Children’s Social Care, South Essex College, care sector providers, safeguarding boards and community safety networks. These sessions reached approximately 400 professionals across the year. In addition to training delivery, SAMS maintained an active public presence through 23 awareness raising and networking events, including business briefings, community events, conferences, partnership forums and public stalls. Events included participation in safeguarding conferences, business partnership meetings, community days, antislavery and hate crime awareness week activities, and the White Ribbon Event at Victoria Plaza.These activities strengthened partnership accountability, increased professional knowledge in identifying and responding to exploitation, and reinforced Southend’s coordinated community response to modern slavery SAMS Survivor Care Project In 2025 SAMS Survivor Care Project was rebranded to SAMS Connect. The Project provides community-based support to survivors of modern slavery and trafficking in the City of Southend. The project provides regular long-term and bespoke wrap-around support in the form of befriending, mentoring, and practical help. In 2025 SAMS Connect provided support for eight survivors of modern slavery, originating from six different countries. Additionally, four children indirectly benefited from the support given to their parents. A total of 286 hours of befriending, mentoring, casework, and practical help were provided. Practical help for the survivors included: supermarket and clothing vouchers, school clothing, household items, computer, toiletries, cinema vouchers, birthday presents for children, electric meter top ups, Christmas hampers and transport to London. Support was also provided by attending court hearings with a survivor and providing translation support in meetings in Southend. Signposting support was also given for local services and well-being activities. Survivor feedback: _For me personally, SAMS are very helpful, even little things they do. I am very grateful. They have people who can understand and be on my side when I need most. It means a lot for me; from the bottom of my heart._ www.togetherfree.org.uk 2 Charity Number 1185728 The Together Free Foundation Colchester Against Modern Slavery started in April 2023, with Colchester Council inviting TTF to catalyse the antislavery partnership. CAMS now comprises of 50 participating organisations. In 2025 4 partnership meetings occurred with 21-35 participants attending each. Events and conferences have been well attended with participants enthusiastic and interested in the issues. Eleven local representatives from the Council, Police, and third sector provide oversight for CAMS. In 2025 CAMS actively engaged the vibrant multi-cultural community groups in Colchester resulting in increased engagement and opportunities for training. 31 training workshops were delivered with over 1000 attendees from charities, faith groups, housing association, the Council, Colchester Institute a n d E s s e x U n i v e r s i t y. C o m m u n i t y ambassadors are being developed to deliver training and awareness within the community. CAMS held nine community engagement days with over 900 engagements with the public. These included the University’s Fresher’s Fair _Essex Police has a long-standing partnership with the The Together Free Foundation, particularly within Colchester City, and this collaboration has been instrumental in tackling modern slavery. The Foundation has been an exceptional resource and the driving force behind CAMS. Modern slavery is a hidden and insidious crime that thrives in silence. Essex Police is committed to safeguarding our communities, and I wholeheartedly endorse the expansion of our local anti-slavery partnership. This initiative enhances our ability to identify victims, pursue perpetrators, and dismantle the networks that exploit vulnerable individuals._ Inspector Shah, Colchester Neighbourhood Policing Inspector, Essex Police As part of Antislavery Day (18th October), CAMS organised the Conference, Breaking the Silence: The Impact of Modern Slavery on Women and Girls. 80 participants took part from 30 organisations. 6 organisations presented including local and regional organisations. The conference explored how exploitation impacts women and girls. Input explored county lines, refugees and migrants, advocacy and police responses. A networking lunch w a s p r o v i d e d b y C o l c h e s t e r ’ s Bangladeshi Women’s Group. www.togetherfree.org.uk 3 Charity Number 1185728 The Together Free Foundation Since August 2022, The Together Free Foundation has been collaborating with Chelmsford City Council in establishing and developing the Chelmsford Against Slavery Partnership (CASP). Quarterly CASP meetings are well attended with 24-28 participants at each, representing 45 participating organisations. TFF’s part-time antislavery coordinator sits within Chelmsford Council and Police’s Community Safety Hub to stimulate the development and objectives CASP. This is done alongside the Steering Group of ten representatives from Chelmsford Council, Police, Social Care and third sector. Ongoing work has been around CASP’s three year strategy of: 1) developing an agile and dynamic partnership; 2) developing survivor care for victims of modern slavery and; 3) developing a well sustained and resourced partnership. _Awareness stall on Chelmsford High Street_ _Training workshop at Chelmsford Cathedral_ Key outcomes include: - 12 community engagement days with over 720 engagements with the public - Two awareness campaigns for the World Day Against Trafficking and Antislavery Day. This included sending training resources for various key-stages to primary and secondary schools and within the area. - 16 training workshops were delivered with over 600 attendees. This included charities, Essex Adult Safeguarding Board, community groups, the NHS and faith groups including Chelmsford Cathedral - Work was done with partner organisations around encouraging the submission of intelligence reports relating to modern slavery. 6 intelligence reports were submitted. 2 disruption activities were undertaken resulting in 3 arrests. - CASP hosted the International Recruitment in Care Conference. More than 80 people attended with six contributing organisations including UK Visas and Immigration. Exploitation within the care sector was explored and best practice for care employers. www.togetherfree.org.uk 4 Charity Number 1185728 The Together Free Foundation _Together Free have been instrumental in working with the City Council and other agencies to develop a multi-agency partnership focused on tackling modern slavery and human trafficking. Recognising that no single organisation can address this complex issue alone, the charity has served as both a trusted intermediary and a catalyst for collective action and the production of the Chelmsford Against Slavery Partnership (CASP)._ _Through its leadership and partnership, Together Free has helped partners move from isolated interventions to a genuine partnership model—one that combines prevention, education and protection, to those affected by modern slavery; there is a major effort to ensure that the voices and needs of survivors are at its core.This collaborative approach has enhanced local intelligence-sharing, improved referral pathways, and fostered a culture of shared responsibility across sectors._ Karen Buttress, Operations Manager, Public Health and Protection Services, Chelmsford City Council **Together Free Appreciates Funding in 2025 from:** - Colchester City Council - The Eastern Baptist Association - Essex Community Foundation - Leeze Charitable Fund - Christopher Holmes Charitable Fund - The National Lottery - Police, Fire and Crime Commission for Essex - Police Property Act Fund - White House Farm Charitable Fund. ## **Public Benefit Statement Accounting Basis** The charity’s trustees continue to have regard for both the charitable objects set out in the governing document and to ensuring that the activities of the charity, as described, meet the public benefit test. In so doing, they take account of the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when planning the charity’s programme of activities. The trustees of the Together Free Foundation are confident that the activities of the charity demonstrate strong evidence of The accounts were prepared on a receipts and payments basis. Report prepared by. D Pratt Signed on behalf of the Trustees by P. Dominey www.togetherfree.org.uk 5 Charity Number 1185728 TheTogether Frèè Foundation Independent Exanllner Report E*4minrv ) /JA>S. 118Ya8 1446X)}d•¥*4 ètherfree.or Charity Number 1185728 TheTogether Frèè Foundation Independent Exanllner Report continued ètherfree.or Charity Number 1185728 The Together Free Foundation **Statement of Financial Activity Up to 31 December 2025** www.togetherfree.org.uk 8 Charity Number 1185728 The Together Free Foundation **Statement of Assets and Liabilities Up to 31 December 2025** www.togetherfree.org.uk 9 Charity Number 1185728 The Together Free Foundation ## **Notes to the Accounts Up to 31 December 2025** www.togetherfree.org.uk 10 Charity Number 1185728 The Together Free Foundation **Statement of Assets and Liabilities Up to 31 December 2025** www.togetherfree.org.uk 11