Students from the University of Lancashire recently visited Medaille Trust in Manchester to gain first-hand experience of how specialist services support survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking.
The visit brought together both undergraduate and postgraduate students studying International Social Work and Community Development. During their time with the charity, students met Medaille Trust caseworkers and heard directly from a survivor, who shared their personal journey and experience of receiving support to escape exploitation.
Medaille Trust is one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist support for survivors of modern slavery, offering safe house accommodation, outreach services, and community-based programmes designed to help individuals recover and rebuild their lives.
The session provided a unique opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the complexities surrounding victim care, while also seeing the impact of frontline support in practice. The visit included a tour of a local safe house, offering further insight into the environments that help survivors feel safe and supported.
The collaboration highlights the importance of partnership working between education providers and specialist organisations in raising awareness and equipping future professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to respond to modern slavery.
Following the visit, several students expressed interest in volunteering with Medaille Trust to further develop their experience and contribute to this vital work.
This marks the beginning of a growing partnership between Medaille Trust and the University of Lancashire, with both organisations committed to continuing their work together to raise awareness and strengthen responses to modern slavery and human trafficking.
To find out more about Medaille Trust or how to get involved, visit: www.medaille-trust.org.uk
