Fast five with Sarah Parker at The Freedom Hub

Ahead of Convene 2025 on 17 September, we ask some of the speakers five simple questions to get a behind-the-scenes of their work, their personalities and motivations in creating a fairer, more equitable and sustainable economy.

Convene 2025 - Australia’s largest social impact gathering - will bring together leaders from across the country to connect, learn and collaborate on business for good.

Today, we spotlight Sarah Parker, Social Enterprise Business Manager at The Freedom Hub, who will be speaking in the session “Modern Day Slavery Uncovered” - a powerful scene-setting conversation on what modern slavery is, why it matters, and how business can be part of the solution.

The Freedom Hub

The Freedom Hub exists to end slavery in Australia, support survivors to recover, and partner in the fight to end global slavery. Their Survivor School provides long-term, wrap-around support with free personalised classes to aid recovery from complex trauma, as well as courses to prepare for work. Their Peer Support Program builds community through activities, workshops and recreation.

Funding for this vital work comes from The Freedom Hub’s social enterprises - the café, event venue and online retail store - which raise money and spark community involvement and awareness.

For Sarah, this is purpose in action. Every coffee served, every gift purchased, and every consulting partnership contributes to survivor recovery and the dismantling of exploitation.

We caught up with Sarah ahead of Convene 2025 to talk modern slavery, coffee, and the power of ethical business.

Why are you passionate about the work that you do?

I’m passionate about creating real-world impact through ethical business. At The Freedom Hub, I get to combine strategic thinking with purpose, using our café, events, retail and particularly consulting services to fund survivor support and drive systemic change. Knowing that every coffee, every conversation, and every partnership helps rebuild lives and challenge injustice, is what fuels me.

For someone unfamiliar with modern day slavery, how would you best describe it in one sentence?

Modern slavery is when a person is exploited and controlled, through force, deception, or coercion, and cannot leave - often trapped in situations like forced labour, servitude, or trafficking.

What’s your favourite thing to order at The Freedom Hub Café?

An extra large soy flat white made by Valentina, our barista, and if I'm feeling like a treat, a piece of chocolate brownie.

What’s one gift you would always recommend from the gift shop?

I personally love our coffee beans. We spent a long time crafting the perfect flavour profile and each pack helps save child soldiers on top of giving the profits to modern slavery survivors. You can purchase beans in 250g and 1Kg packs.

What’s one resource business leaders should read to elevate their knowledge on modern day slavery?

I would recommend reading our website and the articles we publish regularly as we keep on top of relevant topics in the area of slavery and human rights. Walk Free is another incredible resource who publish the Global Slavery Index Report.

Join Sarah and other leading voices at Convene 2025

Gain valuable insights and practical strategies you can bring back to your organisation to identify opportunities for delivering more social value. You’ll also get the latest trends and insights shaping the social enterprise sector, taking away fresh ideas to help grow the sector together.

It’s also a chance to celebrate those delivering social impact, as we announce the 2025 National Game Changer Award winners, partnerships driving social performance, and the social enterprise pioneers making waves across Australia.