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.
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 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 partners
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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.
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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.
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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.
Past Achievements
ATLEU 10 year anniversary event
At our anniversary event in March 2024, two of our members gave speeches outlining their priorities for the reform of current trafficking and asylum systems. These were around the challenges of waiting indefinitely for an outcome on their case while living in poverty and barred from work, as well as the impact of family separation during this time on the individual in the UK, their children and the wider community in their home country.
Read our campaign messages here.
Employment pathways research
Our Lived Experience Group members trained as peer researchers to carry out research with Voice of Domestic Workers and the University of Lincoln to explore the under-representation of people with lived experience of trafficking and modern slavery working in the advice sector and explores the barriers and enablers to employment. The project is funded by City Bridge Foundation.
Lived Experience Coalition
A forum to bring together all those who are involved in co-production of lived experience spaces across the anti-trafficking sector.
We share learning, good practice and opportunities for joint working. Members include individual survivor activists, survivor-led organisations, Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract Sub-contractors, employability, advice and counselling services, researchers and the police.