Mothers' Union and The Clewer Initiative

In 2026, the 150th year of the Mothers' Union, we are deepening our partnership and launching FREE, a new national programme to inspire and mobilise the 35,000+ members of the Mothers’ Union in Britain and Ireland.

Tackling modern slavery is everyone’s business

Ending modern slavery requires a united response from local communities and specialist agencies—a true "whole-systems" approach. Because churches sit at the heart of our communities, they are uniquely placed to support people living on the margins who are most vulnerable to exploitation. By educating Mothers' Union members, equipping local churches, and praying for survivors, we can spot the signs earlier, protect the vulnerable, and help survivors heal.

Our FREE campaign

Mothers’ Union is proud to stand with The Clewer Initiative at the forefront of the movement to end this injustice. Through our joint ‘FREE’ campaign, we share vital knowledge and resources to actively disrupt modern slavery nationwide.

Developed hand-in-hand with its members, many already active in this area, the campaign will mobilise the Mothers’ Union network across Britain and Ireland—empowering its branches, groups, churches, and local communities to recognise the signs, take action, and protect the vulnerable.

Key aims

• Raise Awareness: Educate members to understand that modern slavery happens closer to home than many realise.
• Deliver Training: Provide online training so members can recognise and report modern slavery with confidence.
• Equip Members: Roll out a "Train the Trainer" ambassador program to help members build and maintain vital skills.
• Inspire Action: Provide clear, achievable ways for individuals and communities to respond, including dedicated prayers and faith resources.
• Maintain Flexibility: Adapt our resources to meet local contexts. Work with partners to amplify our messages and collaborate where relevant.
• Inclusivity: Convene targeted regional meetings to discuss how we can best achieve these aims together, adapting to local circumstances when required.

Find out more:

The Mothers' Union has four national programmes, focusing on four different areas of need. Modern slavery is one of these. To find out more about the FREE programme and to access the joint resources that will be available soon, go to Modern Slavery - Mothers' Union