Survivor Financial Wellbeing Project

Aim

To help survivors of modern slavery rebuild financial stability, manage money safely and reduce re-exploitation risk.

Who are we, and what is our project about?

Adavu is a Birmingham-based charity supporting adult survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking across the West Midlands.

We provide long-term, trauma-informed support to help survivors rebuild their lives after exploitation. Our caseworkers walk alongside people as they navigate housing, health, immigration, benefits, employment, family life and the many practical challenges that follow exploitation.

This project focuses on financial wellbeing. Many survivors come to us with significant financial instability. Some have no bank account, limited income, debts, rent or service charge worries, difficulty understanding bills, problems with benefits, or uncertainty about how to manage regular payments. These issues can increase hardship and, in some cases, leave people more vulnerable to further exploitation.

Through this project, we want to strengthen the financial wellbeing support we already provide. We will help survivors feel more secure, confident and in control of their money by offering practical one-to-one support with budgeting, banking, bills, benefits, repayment plans, utilities, rent, council tax reduction, Warm Home Discount, Jobcentre appointments and other financial entitlements.

Our vision is for survivors of modern slavery to have the support, information and confidence they need to move towards safety, stability and independence, reducing the risk of re-exploitation.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are crowdfunding because financial stability is a vital part of recovery after exploitation.

Modern slavery can leave people without control over their money, documents, income or choices. Survivors may have been forced into debt, denied wages, prevented from opening a bank account, or left without the confidence and information needed to manage financial systems safely.

Adavu already provides this kind of support, but demand is growing and our current office space limits how safely and privately we can meet with clients. At the moment, staff often have to move between spaces to meet survivors for confidential conversations. This is not ideal when discussing sensitive financial matters such as debt, rent arrears, benefits, utility bills or repayment plans.

Last year, we supported around 60 people with financial matters. With your help, we want to continue and strengthen this work so that more survivors can receive practical, trauma-informed financial wellbeing support when they need it most.

This funding will help us create safer space for confidential appointments and increase our capacity to support survivors with the financial challenges that can stand in the way of recovery, independence and long-term safety.

How we’ll spend the money raised

We are aiming to raise £25,000 to strengthen financial wellbeing support for survivors of modern slavery across the West Midlands.

The money raised will help fund:

Additional office space for safe, confidential client appointments £6,480

Contribution towards additional caseworker capacity £16,000

Client travel, resources, interpretation, printing and practical financial wellbeing materials £2,520

Total £25,000

The additional office space would allow us to meet survivors in a more appropriate, confidential and trauma-informed setting. Our current office space costs £440 per month. A larger room would cost £980 per month, so this funding would cover the additional £540 per month for 12 months.

The contribution towards caseworker capacity would help us provide more one-to-one support with budgeting, banking, bills, benefits, rent, repayment plans, utilities, Jobcentre appointments and access to financial entitlements.

Every donation will help survivors move towards greater financial security, confidence and independence, reducing hardship and the risk of re-exploitation.

How you can help

There are three simple ways to support this project.

1. Make a donation

Every pledge helps us get closer to our target. Your support will help survivors of modern slavery access practical financial wellbeing support at a crucial point in their recovery.

2. Spread the word

Please share this project with friends, family, colleagues, community groups, faith communities and wider networks. The more people we reach, the more likely we are to succeed.

3. Follow Adavu

You can also support us by following Adavu on social media and helping more people understand the reality of modern slavery and the long-term support survivors need to rebuild their lives.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 28th September 2026 at 4:47pm