For January’s Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery Awareness day, for this month’s Just One Thing article, we spoke with Jillian Alexander, founder and CEO of Unbound Programme, a community interest company supporting survivors of modern slavery in Manchester. Jillian shared her passion for empowering survivors of Modern Slavery in Manchester, and Unbound’s vision for creating lasting policy change beyond crisis response.
Understanding Modern Slavery
When people think about modern slavery in the UK, it is often seen as something distant, or solely linked to immigration. Jillian is clear that this perception misses the reality. “Modern slavery affects thousands of people in the UK,” she explained. “The figures are shocking with around 150,000 people affected, many of whom are UK residents or citizens.” Modern slavery includes human trafficking, forced labour, child labour and debt bondage. “It’s happening far closer to us than people realise,” Jillian says. “That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness for understanding the signs, know how to report concerns, and recognise that this is not someone else’s problem. So we provide skills, training and support for modern slavery survivors in Manchester and it's safe and informed environment.”
Creating Unbound
Jillian is the founder and CEO of Unbound Programme, a social enterprise providing tailored skills support for survivors of modern slavery in Manchester, within a safe and trauma-informed environment. Dignity and independence sit at the heart of the their work, as demonstrated through their newly launched Unbound Framework – a holistic, coaching-led approach designed to support survivors to move beyond crisis and towards long-term independence.
Rather than focusing solely on immediate safety or short-term interventions, the framework encourages more strategic support on offer to survivors of Modern Slavery on restoring agency, rebuilding identity and creating sustainable pathways forward.
Drawing on her interdisciplinary background, holding five degrees across sociology, human rights and criminology, and law, Jillian explains the approach is strengths-based, recognising survivors not just for what they have experienced, but for the resilience, skills and potential they already hold.
“The framework is about more than recovery,” Jillian explains. “It’s about autonomy and helping people regain control over their lives to move forward with confidence.”
Jillian explained that the Unbound Framework is built around five pillars: Unlock, Unlearn, Unfold, Uplift and Unbound, offering a holistic structure that supports emotional wellbeing, skills development and long-term empowerment.
Skills, Employment and Autonomy
Employment and skills-building are central to Unbound’s work. Jillian explains that while housing and financial support are vital, they are not enough on their own.
“At the moment, we deliver a range of courses including entrepreneurship, CV writing and interview mastery, because many survivors are in incredibly vulnerable positions. Employment and skills-building are vital in helping people take back control of their lives. When someone has skills, they have choices. They might go on to start their own business, or find employment in other ways, but either way, that autonomy is crucial. As we move towards fully launching the Unbound Framework in 2026, our work will become even more holistic, bringing together these initiatives so survivors are supported to rebuild their lives and live independently, something many of us take for granted.”
Jillian also touched on how Unbound Programme ensure they are successfully working with survivors – “we’re commissioned by trusted national charities, who already have systems in place, such as housing and safeguarding support. Working in partnership with them allows us to reach survivors at a grassroots level and provide the skills and development support that complements the help they are already receiving.”
Identifying the Gap
Jillian’s work is informed by both her academic background and frontline experience, as well as her frontline volunteer experience with the Salvation Army. “As a volunteer with the Salvation Army, I would interview survivors of modern slavery and submit applications on their behalf through the National Referral Mechanism. After those interviews, the Home Office decides whether there are grounds for someone to receive support. What I began to notice through that process was a real gap. Yes, people might receive housing or short-term financial support, but beyond that, what is in place to stop them remaining vulnerable? Without autonomy over their own lives, survivors are at real risk of re-trafficking, re-servitude and further exploitation.”
That’s one of the main reasons Unbound Programme was created, Jillian explained. “We wanted to build a sustainable framework that empowers survivors, supports recovery and helps people rebuild their lives successfully. It’s about unlocking that mindset again, allowing people to unlearn what they’ve been through and uplift themselves. That idea of ‘unlocking’ is what our logo represents.”
Survivor Voices and Safe Spaces
Engagement with survivors is central to Unbound’s approach. Jillian recently worked alongside survivors to develop a Modern Slavery Handbook, soon to be available in libraries in Manchester, sharing personal stories of lived experience.
Jillian reflected on one story which involved a British citizen trapped in debt bondage after being drawn into criminal exploitation. “He was forced to sell drugs to protect his family,” Jillian explains. “When the police intervened, it was a moment of relief and finally, he could tell his story.”
Through Unbound’s employment support, he was able to attend CV writing and interview mastery sessions, helping him move into legal employment. Jillian says this kind of transformation is what drives the work. Many survivors complete courses and take part in graduation events, where they receive certificates and trophies to recognise what they have achieved. “It’s about giving people something tangible to hold on to,” Jillian explains. “That sense of fulfilment and recognition can be incredibly powerful in showing them, and others, that they have succeeded, and that they can move forward.”
Jillian also spoke about the emotional barriers many survivours face when trying to access support. “A lot of survivors blame themselves for what they’ve been through,” she explains, which can make it even harder to seek help. Creating a safe and supportive environment is therefore essential. Unbound Programme places strong emphasis on safeguarding, with clear policies in place and training for all staff and volunteers before they enter these spaces. Mental health is a key consideration throughout the work, recognising the trauma many survivors carry.
This is where the Unbound Framework plays a vital role, particularly with the pillar focused on unlearning. “It’s about helping people process what they’ve been through, without shame, and helping them see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” Jillian explained. By combining safety, understanding and empowerment, survivors are supported to share their experiences at their own pace and begin to move forward with confidence.
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, Jillian is focused on fully launching the Unbound Framework and using it to influence policy and practice. “When we talk about modern slavery, the conversation is often fear-based or focused on statistics,” she says. “But empowerment is what enables people to recover.”
While Unbound Programme is rooted in Manchester, Jillian hopes the work will also expand nationally, particularly in terms of policy development, and eventually internationally. “Modern slavery is a global issue and empowerment needs to be part of the global response.”
She closes with a reminder of the importance of awareness. “So many people don’t realise they are victims until they seek independent advice. Knowing the signs, knowing how to report concerns, it could save a life.”
Jillian also expressed her thanks to Manchester Community Central, who recently awarded Unbound Programme a £1000 mini-grants available to small African or Caribbean- led voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in the city of Manchester. She explained that this funding will play an important role in supporting the delivery of activities, including workshops delivered in partnership with the private sector.
If you would like to find out more about Jillian’s work you can visit Unbound’s Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/un.bou.nd/