[blacksqr]

Also easier to research the applicable laws in the comfort of your home before you leave instead of trying to triangulate the situation while in detention.

According to the article the Workaway website explicitly says the traveler is responsible for securing the proper visas, which the woman here clearly did not do.

IANAL but I know enough about US law to know that giving accommodation is explicitly barred from being counted as compensation. Workers have to be paid minimum wage regardless of any room or board provided. I would be surprised if the law was much different in the UK.