About us
The scale of modern slavery is growing at an unprecedented rate- 122,000 people are estimated to be living in modern slavery (up 22,000 from 2022). Numbers of women were the highest on record in 2023.
Founded in 2011 by a British woman trafficked into sexual exploitation overseas, Sophie Hayes Foundation’s work is centred around sustainable freedom. Sustainable freedom means long-term freedom from exploitation, slavery, and trafficking; and freedom to look to the future with renewed confidence, rebuilt skills, and a sense of purpose for survivors. Criminal exploitation knows no boundaries and the women we support are diverse and unique. Most of the women we support have experienced sexual exploitation or domestic servitude and forced marriage, forced labour, forced crime or begging.
We work with a community of survivors to amplify their voices, challenge assumptions and work with policymakers and businesses to understand and tackle root causes of exploitation. Our programmes support and enable women to look to the future and achieve their aspirations, as part of a community.
Our programme helps survivors develop a wide range of skills through in-person and remote group workshops, one-to-one sessions, remote learning, group coaching and access to further opportunities, including work placements and is transformative for survivors. Alongside this, all survivors joining our programmes become part of CREW (Creative Resilient Empowered Women), our inspirational female survivor network. Our CREW Coordinator, is herself came through the Foundation’s Programme. CREW provides a rolling programme of opportunities for lifelong development and support, including skills-based workshops, in-person socials, and access to job vacancies.