Sophie Hayes Foundation

Who we are

Founded in 2011 by Sophie Hayes, a British woman trafficked into sexual exploitation overseas, Sophie Hayes Foundation’s work has always been centred around sustainable freedom. 

Sustainable freedom means 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.

Whilst our mission of sustainable freedom has continued over the last 13 years, forms of exploitation, as well as the landscape of support to survivors of exploitation, has changed beyond recognition. To adapt and respond to this, our new clearly defined and executed mission, coupled with enhanced brand awareness, and with survivor voice at its heart, will work at two levels:

1. Freedom to look to the future with renewed confidence, rebuilt skills and sense of purpose can only be 
achieved by meeting survivors where they are in a complex survivor support landscape, adapting and 
responding to need as it arises, and pursuing new and innovative ways to open essential pathways to lifelong 
development, employment, and education opportunity, and long-term support to survivors of exploitation, slavery, and trafficking 

2. Whilst adapting and responding to need, we will boldly assert that survivors deserve better than a system in collapse, recognising their right to comprehensive care and a genuine pathway to sustainable freedom. To this end, Sophie Hayes Foundation will take up our place as a dynamic and recognised charity, carving out a thought leadership niche for ourselves where our unique voice will enable us to attest to measurable advocacy achievements which improve life for survivors in the UK, and in make society more equitable. 

Our culture and values

Foundation Values

We are BOLD
Slavery and trafficking are abhorrent crimes which have no place in the modern world. Survivors’ stories of bravery and survival inspire us to be courageous in boldly challenging assumptions about slavery and trafficking, and in advocating with integrity to policymakers and citizens, businesses and consumers, for a future free from exploitation for all.

We are INQUISITIVE
We are experts in our work with a thorough understanding of the context and realities of modern slavery and human trafficking, centred around lived and learnt experience. But we see great value in continued learning, and take up all opportunities to develop our skills and understanding. We invite everyone to inquire alongside us and believe in their roles as agents of change.

We are INCLUSIVE
We seek to build understanding and awareness of all areas in which exploitation of vulnerabilities can lead to modern slavery and human trafficking and the profound significance of intersectional marginalisation on survivors. We champion and amplify voices of survivors in. We actively welcome and respect different perspectives and experiences from amongst staff, survivors, volunteers, trustees, and supporters, to enhance the quality of the services we provide and the work we do.

We are CREATIVE
We are flexible, adaptable, and responsive to change. We look to innovate, with an entrepreneurial and creative approach to providing opportunities for survivors and to expand our work. We are open to partnership with a wide range of institutions and businesses, and collaborating with them to co-create bold approaches to tackling exploitation and providing 
pathways to sustainable freedom.

We are HOPEFUL
In supporting survivors to, and advocating for, sustainable freedom, we need to inspire people with hope and belief that a better future is possible. Adapting our approach to recognise the challenges people face, we remain optimistic and look to find and provide inspiration wherever we can.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment and to avoiding unlawful discrimination. Our aim is that the work environment is free of harassment and bullying and that everyone is treated with dignity and respect, which is an important aspect of ensuring equal opportunities in employment.

Sophie Hayes Foundation, believes in all values which represent diversity and inclusion, both as a provider of employability support to vulnerable women survivors of human trafficking and to all employees and volunteers.   

The charity is committed to eliminating discrimination based on disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.  

We consistently aim to provide accessible services, delivered by respecting the needs of all internal and external stakeholders. By demonstrating these beliefs, the charity aims to develop as an organisation that is diverse, non-discriminatory, and appropriate to support survivors of human trafficking.   

The charity intends to embed its equality and diversity values into everyday practice, policies, and procedures so that equality and diversity becomes the norm for all.   

We are committed to providing equality of opportunity in our employment practices and procedures by respecting and valuing the positive impact a diverse workforce brings to our culture. We aim to avoid unlawful discrimination being suffered by our employees, job applicants, clients, customers, workers, or volunteers. We aim to encourage equity of opportunity by allocating or reallocating resources fairly and without discrimination, taking steps to redress any existing inequalities or unfairness in how current resources are distributed or current processes and practices are undertaken.  

We aim to apply the principles of fairness to ensure that the diverse needs of individuals are respected, so that all individuals have equal opportunities within the workplace and have their rights protected.