Hope at Home joins national pilot to strengthen support for survivors of human trafficking
A national charity providing safe accommodation for survivors of modern slavery has joined a new pilot programme designed to strengthen advocacy and support for survivors across the UK.
Hope at Home, headquartered in the West Midlands, is part of the Independent Modern Slavery Advocate (IMSA) pilot, a collaborative initiative led by charity Hope for Justice to improve outcomes for survivors through specialist advocacy.
The IMSA model introduces trained advocates who work alongside survivors to help them navigate complex systems, understand their rights and access the support they are entitled to – from housing and legal processes to health, education and employment.
At Hope at Home, this work will complement the charity’s existing hosting and housing programmes, which provide safe homes for survivors at risk of homelessness.
The addition of independent advocacy strengthens the support package available to survivors, helping to address the wider challenges they face after escaping exploitation.
The role of an IMSA includes working directly with survivors to develop tailored support plans, advocate for their rights and act as a consistent point of contact throughout their journey. This includes supporting access to accommodation, services and opportunities, while helping survivors build confidence and independence.
The pilot is underpinned by a specialist Postgraduate Certification programme, designed to ensure consistent, high-quality advocacy practice across the sector.
Hope at Home’s dedicated IMSA will be Sam Lee, the charity’s current Move-On Coordinator, who will embark upon training ahead of his move into the role of IMSA.
Jared Hodgson, CEO of Hope at Home, said:
“We are delighted to be collaborating on the IMSA pilot project.
At Hope at Home we hope to work towards a world where there are safe homes for all survivors of slavery. This pilot is a part of making that a reality.
By having a dedicated team member whose expertise can support a survivor as they navigate their journey, through sharing best practice, knowledge and resources, we are excited to be part of something that will further develop our services with the goal of improving outcomes for survivors and changing their futures.”
The IMSA pilot brings together organisations across the UK to develop a more coordinated and effective response to supporting survivors of slavery and human trafficking.
By combining safe housing with independent advocacy, the charity aims to create stronger pathways to recovery, stability and long-term independence.
Hope at Home is encouraging continued collaboration across the sector to ensure survivors receive the holistic support they need.
More information about the IMSA pilot can be found at: https://hopeforjustice.org/imsa/
More about Hope at Home’s work can be found here: https://hopeathome.org.uk/
