Adavu was founded as a project of the Birmingham Methodist District way back in 2011 at a time was modern slavery as a widespread crime was barely recognised by statutory services. Under the vision and drive of its founding members, Deacon Kerry Scarlett and Rev Stephen Willey, Adavu responded by helping to set a local network of professionals that eventually grew into the well-respected West Midlands Anti-Slavery Network. Then later, in 2016, acting on the lack of direct survivor support services, Adavu began offering specialist emotional and practical casework support direct to adult survivors in the region. To date we have helped almost 200 men and women rebuild fulfilled lives of freedom, hope and dignity.
Fast forward to 2022 and we have moved to an independent charity and CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation), continuing to tackle the issue modern slavery and supporting survivors. We are proud of our roots in the Birmingham Methodist District and continue to maintain a positive partnership with them as we move forward – as indeed with all our other partners.
There are exciting times ahead as we continue to grow and expand and walk alongside victims and survivors! We are excited that our continued work grows and flourishes: in advocating for best practice in survivor support, in pushing for positive policy change and increased awareness across the whole of society.
We hope you will join us in this journey. Please do follow us on social media, share our messages and consider supporting us financially if you are able – it all makes such a difference as we do not receive any statutory funding: www.adavu.org.uk
