UK charity Unseen envisions a world without slavery. The organisation, headquartered in Bristol, provides support and safehouses for survivors of trafficking and modern slavery and works to empower, raise awareness, train and advise on this issue. Unseen also runs the UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline and works with communities, businesses, individuals, governments, statuary agencies and other charities to eliminate slavery for good.
Unseen’s Mission
Unseen’s overarching goal is a world where everyone can live free of exploitation and abuse. The charity equips, influences and empowers others to help bring about transformational, positive change. It does this through the provision of specialist services to survivors, training, and using its research and experience to push for changes in legislation, consumer choices, business practice and policy.
Unseen’s outreach services provide emotional and practical support to survivors, from help navigating the asylum and immigration system to accessing healthcare. The organisation can also assist with ongoing medical and emergency care, finances, access to employment and education, legal issues, housing support, and budgeting and money management.
Making a Powerful Impact
In 2024, Unseen led a range of bold, creative campaigns to put a spotlight on modern slavery, inspire action and challenge exploitation. The organisation’s #LikesToLines campaign aimed to empower professionals and parents to combat county lines by spotting the warning signs of exploitation and raising awareness of the tactics gangs use to control young people. Meanwhile, the charity worked in partnership with 11 leading UK construction companies to create an educational video that went on to win a silver award at the Smiley Charity Film Awards.
Also in 2024, Unseen hosted several hard-hitting webinars designed to deepen supporters’ understanding of the charity’s aims and the urgency of its mission. These webinars included an International Women’s Day event and, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a session on its frontline work. Unseen is one of the carefully curated charities within the Social Mobility Cause Portfolio of Percent for Good, an organisation founded by Mark Lyttleton.
Inspiring Businesses
Unseen’s work involves inspiring businesses to create genuine change and help eradicate modern slavery. Becoming an Unseen Business Hub member, businesses can be a leader in preventing workforce exploitation and reduce their risk of being inadvertently involved in trafficking or modern slavery. As well as mitigating modern slavery risks, this reinforces an organisation’s commitment to responsible business practices, elevates its reputation, increases employee retention and enhances client relationships.
For more information about Unseen, take a look at the embedded PDF.