Sheffield-based modern slavery charity Causeway has unveiled a mass partnership with 17 famous faces from film, TV, music and sport, as part of a new campaign they’re launching called Stand With Survivors.
These include BAFTA-nominated actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, celebrity chef and Great British Menu host Andi Oliver, and stand-up comedian and After Life star Kerry Godliman.
It is estimated that over 50m people worldwide are currently trapped in modern slavery and exploitation, with over 100,000 of those in the UK. In the past year, the North West was one of the regions in England and Wales with the highest number of referrals for modern slavery support, through the government’s National Referral Mechanism, only coming behind London and the South East. Yorkshire and the North East came fifth.
Sheffield-based Causeway, which also has offices in Liverpool and Sunderland, is one of the largest providers of modern slavery support in the North of England. It supports over 2,000 individuals each year across Yorkshire, the North West and the North East.
Following a period of growth, in recent years the charity has invested in research, partnership and campaign work. This included the appointment of Stockport-based Edwin Buckley last year, into the role of head of communications and engagement, to lead campaign, brand and engagement activities. Before joining Causeway, Buckley held a range of media and communications positions at organisations including Prostate Cancer UK, Natural England and the BBC.
Causeway has now announced its latest campaign, called Stand With Survivors. The campaign aims to increase awareness around modern slavery, and educate the public about the signs to look out for which indicate somebody may be experiencing modern slavery and exploitation.
The charity has partnered with 17 celebrities and influencers to front the campaign, from the North of England and beyond. These famous faces have all donated their time for free to support the charity’s awareness-raising efforts around modern slavery.
Leading the celebrity line-up is Tameside BAFTA-nominee and Mr Bates vs the Post Office actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, Ripon-based The Last Kingdom star Jacob Dudman, Bolton Olympic boxer Cindy Ngamba, Coronation Street’s Shelley King and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, who both live in Manchester.
Joining them is chef and Great British Menu host Andi Oliver, stand-up comedian and After Life star Kerry Godliman, and Call the Midwife actor Cliff Parisi. Fantastic Beast‘s Derek Riddell, and EastEnders’ Maisie Smith.
Other celebrities partnering with Causeway to front the campaign are West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis, journalist and broadcaster Simon Calder, former Emmerdale actor Charlie Hardwick, Bad Girls’ Alicya Eyo, Married at First Sight UK star Matt Jameson, and The Traitors UK contestants Miles Asteri and Theo Mayne.
In a celebrity film that has been produced to launch the campaign, Kerry Godliman explains “If somebody finds themselves in a place of vulnerability or crisis, they can be particularly at risk.” Andi Oliver adds that “modern slavery does not always mean somebody is being physically deprived of their freedom, although this does happen.”
Buckley said: “We are so grateful to have these 17 celebrities teaming up with Causeway for our new Stand With Survivors campaign. It is such a powerful way for us to reach more people, raise awareness and advocate against modern slavery, a topic that can often be misunderstood. We hope the campaign will encourage everybody to ‘stand with survivors’, and show allyship, care and support for those who have been, or who are currently being, affected by modern slavery.”
Hesmondhalgh said: “Causeway support some of the most marginalised people in our society. Their experiences and voices are all too often not heard or valued. I am honoured to be involved with this Stand With Survivors campaign, and hope it will shine a much-needed spotlight on modern slavery, and help towards creating lasting change for the brave survivors affected by it.”
Find out more about the Stand With Survivors campaign on social media @CausewayCharity or by visiting www.wearecauseway.org.uk.
