IMSA Pilot: Celebration & Learning Event
Sep 9
St Mary’s University, Twickenham
Since September 2025, the IMSA Model Development Project has been running a national pilot. Fifteen organisations are working in partnership, employing 28 IMSAs (Independent Modern Slavery Advocates) and Senior IMSAs who are working alongside adult survivors of human trafficking. IMSAs work with survivors to access their rights and entitlements and work towards a sustained recovery.
You are warmly invited to the IMSA Pilot Learnings & Celebration Event. Join us for:
- A celebration of IMSAs who have achieved their PG Certification, marking a major accreditation milestone within the IMSA Project
- An exploration of emerging evidence of a national network of independent advocates collaborating to improve outcomes for survivors
- An opportunity to connect and build relationships with individuals and organisations committed to transforming the UK’s response to survivors of trafficking
DATE AND TIME: Wednesday 9th September 2026, 9.15am to 1.45pm
LOCATION: St Mary’s University, Twickenham, TW1 4SX
Please note that a primary function of the event is networking and relationship building, so in-person attendance is our preference. If that is impossible, there is an option on the RSVP form above to join via Zoom instead.
We’re excited to welcome you and celebrate this important milestone within the IMSA Model Project together.
Timings
9.15am – 9.45am Arrival, registration and coffee
9.45am – 10.15am Welcome – IMSA® Pilot Update: What We’re Learning So Far. An opportunity to hear from the IMSA Model Development Team on learnings so far from a national network of IMSAs working directly with survivors across the UK
10.15am – 11.15am Building a Survivor-Centered System: The Role of Independent Advocacy in Systemic Reform. A panel of experts will discuss insights gained from the IMSA model, including the complexity of the issues survivors encounter throughout their recovery, and how we can work towards our collective aim of ensuring every survivor has the opportunity to work with an IMSA.
- Chair: Alicia Rana, Survivor Leader
- Dr Júlia Tomás, Senior Policy and Research Lead, The Passage
- Amelia Smith, Policy Lead at Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s Office
- Dr Alison Gardner, Independent Evaluator of the IMSA Model Development Project, University of Nottingham
- Joy Gillespie, CEO, Survivors of Human Trafficking Scotland (SOHTIS)
11.15am – 11.45am Break and Networking
11.45am – 12.45pm IMSA® Model Accreditation: Celebrating a Key Milestone. A celebration of qualified IMSAs and reflections on why standardisation and accreditation are crucial for survivors and the next steps for the IMSA PG Certification.
- Speakers: Dr Anta Brachou & Dr Carole Murphy
12.45pm – 1.45pm Lunch and Close
An Independent Modern Slavery Advocate (IMSA) in discussion with a survivor (posed by actor to protect identity)
