Sheela was silent for two decades until Marley extended his paw to her.

Sitting on the sofa, I watched as Marley, a seven-year-old cat, reached out to Sheela, who was knitting nearby. Sheela, a guest at Caritas Bakhita House, had been through unimaginable horrors as a slave for over 20 years in London. In the three months that I had known her, she had never spoken a word of English. But now, as Marley's paw rested on her leg, she looked up and said, "Hello sweetie pie." I was amazed. Marley had managed to reach her and convey his compassion and care without even speaking a word.

As part of the support team at Caritas Bakhita House, I have the privilege of assisting these women as they recover from their traumas. We provide them with medical care and help them to return home or seek asylum. Our goal is to help them find safe employment and reclaim their lives, if they are legally able and willing to do so.

In the first few months of Sheela's stay with us, she had been closed off and unreachable. But Marley had found a way to connect with her, and in turn, he became the bridge that helped us gain her trust. It was amazing to see the transformation in Sheela. For the first time, her eyes were free of fear.

I am honored to have witnessed the bravery of these women as they take each step towards recovery. As someone who has spent 31 years in the Metropolitan Police, working with survivors of human trafficking, I am passionate about providing a safe place for female victims to heal and recover.

Since its opening in 2015, Caritas Bakhita House has welcomed 198 women from 50 different countries, ranging from ages 15 to 70. It has been a joy to see 16 babies born here, bringing hope and happiness to us all. These women have been deceived and controlled by others, with every daily decision made for them. But through our support and their own determination, they have found the courage to speak out and seek justice for their abusers. As a result, we have seen defendants given custodial sentences totaling 205 years.

Marley has played a significant role in the success stories of our guests. When he first arrived at Caritas Bakhita House four years ago, he was skinny, timid, and non-vocal. But after a few months, he began to find his voice and his confidence. Now, he greets everyone with enthusiasm, including our staff, volunteers, and most importantly, our guests.

Marley is a big part of every success story, providing comfort and support to our guests as they heal. He has a special intuition when it comes to those who have been through trauma, and he knows just how to offer his love and empathy. Whether it's sitting by their side as they cry, or playing games to gain their trust, Marley is always there for our guests.

He even attends art class, drama therapy, and yoga, showing off his impressive poses. One guest even wrote a song for him, which he patiently listens to over and over again. Marley is also a regular in our English lessons, where our teacher incorporates him into stories to engage the guests and make learning fun. Every evening, he joins us for dinner, laying on his mat at the big dining table.

Marley's story of courage and compassion has earned him a spot in this year's National Cat Awards, organized by Cats Protection. He is competing in the Incredible Cats category and has the chance to be named National Cat of the Year 2024. But for us, Marley is already a winner, as he has helped raise awareness about modern slavery and the importance of providing a safe haven for those in need.

Recovery is a difficult journey, but having Marley by their side gives our guests the strength to keep going. He reminds us every day that love knows no boundaries and can break down even the strongest barriers. Sheela, who is still with us as she assists with a police investigation, has found a special bond with Marley. He is the first one she speaks to in the morning and the last one she says goodnight to at night. For someone who has only known control and brutality, any form of friendship is crucial to their recovery.

In order to help someone heal, you must first build a bridge of trust. And Marley has done just that for our guests at Caritas Bakhita House. We are grateful to have him as a part of our family, and we can't wait to see him continue to make a difference in the lives of those who have been through so much.

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