Searchlight Scotland was founded in 2018 with a drive and hope to see societies most vulnerable receive trauma-informed care and support, in order for them to live the life that they deserve.
Over the past few years, we have seen many individuals come through our doors and start a journey to freedom from addiction, abuse, exploitation and many other life controlling issues.
We have a vision and a drive to identify and rescue those who are trapped in the travesty of human trafficking. In addition, we want to raise awareness and provide training to front line professionals to see as many individuals identified in Scotland as we can. We have a passion to see slavery ended in Scotland in our lifetime.
Our Residential Programme aims to empower women held back by life controlling issues, including addiction, self-harm, anxiety and depression, through a holistic and tailored service.
The programme includes counselling, life skills, personal and social development and health and wellbeing support. It aims to encourage trust and independence while providing support where the individual needs it.
In 2022, we have also seen a significant rise in the number of refugees coming into Scotland and Aberdeen.
We have had the wonderful opportunity to provide a service and give support to those who have entered our country to seek asylum. Most of these Refugees have come to Scotland with no clothes or shoes, suffering from traumas and even have been exploited. We are providing the essentials like shoes, clothing and vouchers but also importantly, signposting them to other organisations with resources to help. We have been providing great opportunities like Volunteering for organisations and tending allotments so they can grow their own flowers, fruit and vegetables. Showing them around Aberdeen and Scotland is also a big part of making them feel part of the community.