Who we are and what we do
Hibiscus Initiatives (Hibiscus) is a voluntary sector organisation with a track record of delivering high-quality services for over 30 years. We have distinct expertise in working with marginalised foreign national, Black, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BMER) women in prison, in the community, in Court, and in immigration removal centres. Some areas of our work extend to working with men, where this complements our work with women.
Our work falls into four broad areas: prisons, community, international resettlement and human trafficking.
Our person-centred approach engages the clients, supporting and empowering them in dealing with their multiple and often complex needs and, importantly, addresses the disadvantage that language and cultural barriers present.
In addition to being a lifeline to our clients, our work is widely respected by prison, probation and immigration staff who have time and time again expressed their appreciation for the services we provide.
“Very impressed with excellent work and attitude of Hibiscus who support those trafficked and vulnerable…An excellent organisation for statutory partners to work with and learn from” (Victims Commissioner for London)
Our specialist expertise in international reintegration and resettlement, and supporting migrant offenders and those at risk of offending, places Hibiscus as one of the leading organisations supporting foreign nationals and BMER groups and individuals involved in the UK criminal justice system.
We work with over 1,000 clients from over 119 countries, providing:
- welfare, advice, advocacy, volunteering and mentoring in prisons;
- reintegration assistance and practical and emotional support for people in detention and those released from immigration removal centres;
- community resettlement support for ex-offenders;
- identification of potential victims of trafficking and awareness-raising on the risks of being trafficked to the UK.
We also aim to educate and influence policy makers and the public about the experiences of our clients, many of whom end up in the criminal justice system when in fact they should be treated as victims of abject poverty, violence or because they have been coerced into criminal activity.
We are First Responders, on behalf of the Salvation Army, for those who have been trafficked and we are First Point of Contact for victims of domestic violence. Our accreditations include OISC (level 2) and NCVO Trusted Charity Mark (level 1).
