Today, Friday 16 October, 120 women survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking celebrated a big milestone – graduating from Sophie Hayes Foundation Employability and Leadership Programmes, receiving a qualification from City & Guilds.

Gathering in London, amongst the smiles, emotions, caps, and gowns, there was hope for the future. Anna, a participant in the Programme said,

“Before joining the Sophie Hayes Foundation Programme, I was frustrated, extremely anxious, and had lost all confidence in myself. It felt like I would never find work in the UK, and I didn’t even know where to begin. Now, in 2026, I am employed part-time at a charity, and I am also a lived-experience advisor on two different projects. This programme helped me change my life for the better. I am still in recovery and continuing therapy, but for the first time in a long time, I am no longer anxious about my employability. I have work, purpose, and hope for my future.”

One year ago, another group of women just like them graduated. Today, 76% of those survivors have gone into employment, further education, volunteering, or continued vocational courses and training.

The women supported by the charity have experienced unimaginable exploitation and trauma. They may have been involved in sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced marriage, or forced labour.

All are unique, brilliant individuals with skills and ambitions for the future, but may well have missed out on formal education or traditional career pathways. But participants like Anna have gone on to do incredible things, working in law, teaching, health and social care, therapy, interpreting, and local government. They have studied for GCSEs, Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. They have paid it forward, volunteering in charities and the NHS.

For women who have survived modern slavery, finding employment can be a crucial step towards rebuilding their lives. But for around half of the women SHF works with, one barrier can make that next step much harder. Many survivors do not have the right to work as a result of having been trafficked into the UK illegally, or having a visa tied to an exploitative employer.

While the Government agenda for growth is focused on support and opportunities for people into employment, whatever their backgrounds, this seems contradictory. It also means the UK is missing out on survivors’ talents, skills and capacities as resilient, creative individuals. It also doesn’t make economic sense. Denying the right to work is estimated to cost the UK up to £36m a year in lost tax revenue alone.

Today, the Graduates of the Sophie Hayes Foundation Employability Programme embody a model of support into independence that works, for the good of individuals, and the whole of society.

***ENDS***

About SHF:

Sophie Hayes Foundation was founded 15 years ago by a British woman trafficked into sexual exploitation overseas who recounted her experiences in the seminal book, ‘Trafficked’. Since its establishment SHF has worked with hundreds of survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking as they rebuild lives of freedom, independence, and agency. You can find more about the work of Sophie Hayes Foundation and how to support it on our website here: [https://www.sophiehayesfoundation.org]. Just £1,000 enables one survivor to complete the Employability Programme.

Interview Opportunity:

A survivor (alias name will be used) who has previously graduated from Sophie Hayes Foundation’s Employability Programme and SHF’s CEO Emily Death are available for an interview on the day of graduation (Friday 16 November) or at a later date at the SHF offices in Bethnal Green. The survivor will be able to speak about:

• How they have overcome their prior experiences.

• The role of SHF’s Programmes in their next steps.

• Their current employment and journey since the programme.

• The structural barriers facing survivors post-exploitation including lack of Right to Work.

Contact: Emily Death, CEO, Sophie Hayes Foundation emily@sophiehayesfoundation.org 07557258249

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