Rise and Lead Fellowship

Since we began, ATLEU has been passionate about diversifying our workforce, and in particular, recruiting those with lived experience of trafficking and migration. Although we’ve tried different approaches, we’ve found this difficult to achieve and it’s become clear that it’s not just an issue for us but one for the entire sector.

If we want to see change, we need to take action ourselves.

This is why we began this journey - to really understand what can help people move into employment in the anti trafficking and advice sectors, what the barriers are to this and how we can help people to overcome them.

We knew that for this process to work it must be fully developed with people with lived experience. So we turned to Voice of Domestic Workers, the only lived experience led organisation in the anti-trafficking sector delivering early advice on trafficking status, entering the NRM and employment rights, as part of their campaigning and support work.

In 2023 - 2024 we delivered a research project together, exploring what stops and what helps survivors of human trafficking, modern slavery and migration gain employment in the anti-trafficking advice sector.

Read our full report Untapping a Power

The fellowship

Following on from this research project, with funding from City Bridge Foundation, we joined with Southeast and East Asian Centre, a community organisation providing support to people from Southeast and East Asia.

Together with Voice of Domestic Workers, we are running a 12-month training fellowship to create an employment pathway into the anti-trafficking advice sector for people with lived experience of human trafficking/modern slavery and migration.

This exciting programme involves:

  • 12 months paid work experience alongside experienced solicitors and caseworkers in ATLEU’s immigration and compensation legal teams.

  • Work experience in a community organisation, VODW or SEEAC, for six months of this 12 month role. An opportunity to gain experience of supporting a team to advocate for and advise people who have experienced human trafficking/modern slavery.

  • Regular training and supervision on client care and advice casework.

  • Mentoring support on job skills from a specialist employment organisation.

  • Support to access follow on training or employment at the end of the fellowship.

The deadline for applications is 16 February 2026 at 5pm.

How to apply

Find out more

We want to make sure that you have all the information you need to decide whether or not you want to apply for the role.

You don’t have to commit to applying to come along to our information sessions or workshops or to listen to our speakers, they are open to everyone!

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The partners

  • Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit

    ATLEU

    ATLEU is the only UK charity that provides dedicated, holistic legal support to survivors of trafficking and slavery.

    We provide free, specialist, holistic legal advice and representation to adults, young people and children who have experienced trafficking, slavery and labour exploitation.

    We also do policy and influencing work. We believe that responses to human trafficking and modern slavery must be evidenced based and informed by people with lived experience in order to achieve lasting positive change.

  • Voice of Domestic Workers

    VODW

    The Voice of Domestic Workers is a self-led organisation run by and for migrant domestic workers (MDWs).

    We are committed to empowering MDWs in the UK by advocating for systemic change, ending discrimination, and securing stronger protections.

    As an education and support group, we fight for justice and rights for the more than 20,000 migrant domestic workers in Britain. Our mission is to build a strong, unified voice for MDWs, equipping them with the tools, skills, and confidence to assert their rights, influence policy, and shape public discourse, as well as the future of our organisation.

  • Southeast and East Asian Centre

    SEEAC

    SEEAC is a migrants-led community organisation supporting people from East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) backgrounds across the UK - including migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Committed to a future where ESEA communities are treated equally, empowered, and thrive in the UK, our primary mission is to work for:

    - Systemic Change: Fair, inclusive policies for all stages of migration
    - Inclusive Society: Celebrating ESEA cultures, identities, and contributions
    - Equality & Rights: Empowering individuals to know and assert their rights
    - Livelihoods & Mobility: Creating pathways to economic opportunity and social advancement.