Motivation | Break through
“I escaped slavery and got my life back with the help of AAT”
Deepika Deepika AATQB was nominated for a Triumph Award, which is given to members who have overcome challenges and obstacles, at the AAT Impact Awards in November 2024. This is her story
Words Sophie Cross
Deepika Deepika was married with three children and worked as an accounts manager in her home country of India. She had graduated in economics, politics and Sanskrit, then gone on to do her teaching qualification and a master’s in English. She continued studying other short courses, achieving qualifications in Microsoft, taxation systems and a computing diploma.
On the outside, everything might have seemed well for this highly educated woman. But Deepika had an abusive married life and, in 2019, was sent to the UK by her husband with two of her three children, where she became a victim of modern slavery. Her eldest daughter was kept in India as a controlling factor and all of her official documents, belongings and proof of identity were taken from her.
Breaking free
She was kept as a slave to a family in Leicester for two years before running with her two children to the police and beginning the process to seek asylum. After moving between different cities and hotels, she ended up in Nottingham, where her social worker encouraged her to start studying again with AAT.
“I took it as a sign from God,” Deepika says. “They can keep my official documents, but they can’t take my knowledge. I decided not to give up as I wanted to be an inspirational model for my kids.”
“They can keep my official documents, but they can’t take my knowledge. I decided not to give up as I wanted to be an inspirational model for my kids.”
Rebuilding a future
Deepika started and passed AAT Level 2 and moved on to Level 3 in 2024, but this was to be the toughest part of her journey yet.
“I was having a lot of treatment and dealing with past trauma and all the physical and mental issues with my health, including PTSD, depression, anxiety and blood clots in my lungs,” she says.
“I’m on lifetime medication and my depression medication was at a very high dose. I was in hospital many times and, in May 2024, I was in bed for a month while being a single mum, but I still managed to take my GCSE maths, English and AAT Level 3.”
Deepika was determined to keep going, persevere and do whatever it was for herself that would make her feel better.
“The thing I did for me was to keep reminding myself that it wasn’t just me at the lowest point - many others are suffering, too,” she adds. “I don’t want others to control my mind, so I use positive thinking and meditation.
“I couldn’t read because I had a problem focusing, so I started writing inspirational poetry and painting landscapes with acrylic. When I felt really low and stressed, I’d go to the parks and touch the leaves and come back with a love for Mother Nature. Do whatever works for you.”
“I was having a lot of treatment and dealing with past trauma and all the physical and mental issues with my health, including PTSD, depression, anxiety and blood clots in my lungs.”
Career aspirations and volunteering
Deepika can’t be employed in the UK while seeking asylum, but she has been doing voluntary work as a teaching assistant in her son’s school and at the foodbank in the church near her house.
“I see myself in a job and being part of projects,” she says. “I’m very organised, can present myself well and work as part of a team. I’m keeping my knowledge up to date so, when I get the opportunity, I’ll be on track.”
Deepika’s goal is to get a job as an accountant, as she knows she has the skills and capabilities and is dedicated to her continuing professional development, attending AAT branch events and webinars. She has travelled to London for an AAT event, expanding her network and is also helping other students on their journeys.
“AAT is a great professional body that helps its members in many different ways, and they are really good at guiding you if you have any problems,” Deepika says.
“I always read AAT Student Magazine for new opportunities and I saw the Triumph Award nominations, so I thought, ‘Why not share my story to inspire others?’ It felt like a success for me to get back my life with the help of AAT.”
Deepika’s final advice is to keep smiling, keep going and be an inspiration to others as they might be having a tougher time than you.
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