The Salvation Army UK and Ireland Territory

Now more than ever before we need to stand together to stop modern slavery. Thousands of modern slavery victims are hidden in plain sight in towns and cities across the UK. We need your help to raise awareness of this horrific crime and find survivors so we can get them the support they need to re-build their lives. Ahead of Anti-Slavery Day on Friday 18 October, download our digital toolkit, which is full of resources which will show how you can support our work with survivors of modern slavery and help us alert our society to this increasing issue - please remember to tag us in your posts: https://tsa.link/ASDdt24 #WeAreNotForSale #AntiSlaveryDay

We are concerned that recent changes in the law could make it harder to break the cycle of exploitation and push victims back into the hands of traffickers. In recent years, criminals are finding it easier to trap people in modern slavery because their victims are too scared to speak to authorities. However, there is hope as we can all play our part in helping these vulnerable people escape and find the protection and support they need. Join us in calling for the Government to restore the rights of survivors so they get the help they need. Write to your local MP today: https://tsa.link/ASDmp24 #WeAreNotForSale #AntiSlaveryDay #WeAreNotForSale24 #AntiSlaveryDay2024

News broke this week via BBC News that victims of Modern Slavery were being forced to work at a McDonalds branch and a factory supplying bread to major supermarkets. We are deeply saddened but not surprised to hear of the ordeal these survivors endured at the hands of their traffickers, residing in squalid conditions and working excessive hours under a promise of a better life in the UK. Shockingly, this case is not a one-off. People being forced into exploitative work like this is something we see all too often. The signs are there that abuse and exploitation is taking place if you know what to look for. In this case so many red flags were missed leading to victims being abused over many years: victims who couldn’t speak English which traffickers used to control them by acting as translator in job interviews, wages paid into one bank account controlled by the traffickers and 9 victims registered to the same address. Over the last 13 years we have supported nearly 22,000 survivors to rebuild their lives, but it’s estimated that there are a further 122,000 people are experiencing modern slavery the UK today. We need your help to ensure that people are able to escape this kind of abuse. Join our campaign and learn to spot the signs of modern slavery: https://tsa.link/STS24   Watch the BBC’s documentary ‘Slavery on the High Street’ to find out more about the victims of forced labour working in McDonalds and also major supermarkets: https://lnkd.in/efg6CNYp   (Image credit- BBC iplayer)

Modern slavery is happening right here in every corner of the UK. Anyone can become a victim of modern slavery and that includes British citizens. Imagine if you had to flee your home because of war or discrimination or accepting a job offer to keep your starving family alive, pay for your mother’s medical treatment or keep the drug dealers from hurting you, only to find yourself working for no pay and threatened with violence to you or your family if you run away. People like that are in every town, village, and city in the UK, often hidden in plain sight. Which is why it is so important to spot the signs of modern slavery. Learn how to stand with survivors and raise awareness this #AntiSlaveryDay: https://tsa.link/ASDtsa24

‘I would cry and ask God, please make it end.’ When Rose* travelled from Nigeria to the UK, she was offered the chance to complete her education in the UK in return for providing childcare for the family she would be living with. Everything seemed wonderful. Her new employers met her at the airport, arranged her visa and bought her clothes. But soon the picture changed. Rose says: ‘It wasn’t what they promised. I was made to do everything– all for no money. I was up early to get the child ready for school. I had to clean and cook for the family, look after the child while they were at work, and then in the evening I was sent to their restaurant, where I had to cook, serve customers and clear up, often not getting back until two in the morning.’ Worse was to come. Her employers became increasingly abusive and violent. When Rose’s visa expired, they didn’t renew it. They stopped her phoning her parents. When the wife went away on a trip, Rose was repeatedly raped by the husband. She remembers: ‘I would cry and ask God, please make it end.’ Then one day at the restaurant, a regular customer questioned her about why she was always there. In her misery, the whole story came flooding out – and he offered to help her. He took her to the police station, where they called The Salvation Army. For the last few months, Rose has been living at one of our safe houses for survivors of modern slavery. It’s taken her time to recover, but our team at the safe house has supported her wonderfully. ‘The Salvation Army have been amazing,’ she says. ‘They’ve made me feel like a human being again. I talk to my parents every day. I’ve been doing online courses. I know my future is bright.’ Help us support more people like Rose find freedom and support from modern slavery by donating to our Survivor Support Fund: https://tsa.link/ASDtsa24 *Name changed for anonymity, model used in images to represent Rose #WeAreNotForSale #AntiSlaveryDay

We were delighted to collaborate with the Guardiola Sala Foundation for a fifth year in a row for our annual Partnership Trophy. This is the thirteenth tournament in which 30 teams of residents from our Lifehouses (hostels) and Salvation Army Homes participate in a five-a-side football tournament hosted by Goals in Manchester. This tournament celebrates Lifehouse residents’ achievements and helps boost their confidence, physical and mental health. Football legend and former Celtic player, John Hartson, also attended the event and held a Q &A session with Lifehouse residents during their lunchbreak. We’d like to say a big thank you to the Guardiola Sala Foundation who generously provided caps and footballs as well as donations towards transport and water bottles. They also arranged for a surprise visit from Manchester City Football Club captain and England player, Kyle Walker, and our teams enjoyed meeting the famous footballer. The Partnership Trophy was sponsored by our insurance company, Sagic and our trading company, Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL) supplied bags, and Aramark UK Aramark provided the catering. And last but most importantly, congratulations to all our fantastic football teams from our Lifehouses and Salvation Army Homes, who travelled from across the UK and Ireland to participate in our 13th Partnership Trophy- you are amazing! Thank you for your energy, enthusiasm, and teamwork. Nathan Slinn, deputy director of the Homelessness Services Department for The Salvation Army, said: “Our annual Partnership Trophy celebrates everyone within our homelessness services, acknowledging the journey they are on to be the best version of themselves while recognising the challenges that many have had to overcome.”

Bargains too good to be true? From cheap labour to cheap products, you could be unconsciously contributing to modern slavery here in the UK. Find out how to spot the signs of exploitation by watching our new film. Help decrease modern slavery in the UK and together we can help victims escape to freedom and get the support they deserve. If you suspect that someone could be a victim and in need of help, call our 24/7 free, confidential referral helpline 0800 808 3733 - if someone is in immediate danger or under 18, please call the police. Ahead of Anti-Slavery Day (Friday 18 October) find out how you can help raise awareness of this horrific crime hidden in plain sight: https://tsa.link/ASDtsa24 #WeAreNotForSale #AntiSlaveryDay #SpotTheSigns

“We’re in a position where we don’t want to be growing the service, we want there to be less need, but the reality is need is growing” Les Clarke, Salvation Army Community Mission Facilitator at Dinnington Salvation Army. That’s the sad reality for many across the country, and while we will also be here to help those most in need, we are getting more people using our services. Our teams are seeing in real time, the effects the cost of living is having on families, that’s why we are calling the government to put prioritise families in this autumn budget. Help us find a long-term solution by signing our petition – https://brnw.ch/21wMK40

Did you know that over the last couple of years, our Employment Plus Service has supported 40,000 people? To mark Employability Day, our service will be hosting a number of open events for jobseekers. Employment Plus operates in 120 local communities across the UK, providing a bridge between those furthest from the job market and traditional routes into employment by helping people overcome obstacles to entering the workforce. Rebecca Keating, Director of Employment Services at The Salvation Army says: “Employability Day is a celebration of the thousands of jobseekers who have been helped into work by our employability advisors at The Salvation Army. We work with people who are desperate to work but who face the biggest barriers to getting work, such as physical and mental health problems, a lack of education or relevant skills, or unaffordable childcare. “If the Government is to reduce economic inactivity and successfully grow the economy, people who are locked out of the job market must get the support they need to join the workforce.” This #EmployabilityDay, we are urging the Government to commit to long-term investment to make sure the people who are locked out of the job market get the support they need to join the workforce. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/edxJw9BE

Barnsley’s Baby Baskets are packages of hope for new parents struggling with the overwhelming costs of having a baby. The scheme, which takes referrals from midwives, relies on donations which are collected at the SATCoL (The Salvation Army’s trading arm) Donation Centre in nearby Old Mill Lane. Members of the public and knitting groups have also been generously donating. Moses baskets are filled with items like clothing, nappies, blankets, bibs, baby mattresses etc. for families who are struggling financially. Volunteer JC, who co-ordinates Barnsley Baby Baskets, says: “The baskets contain all the essentials you need when you get home from hospital, things like nappies, muslin cloth... There are also things like toiletries for the mothers. “Lots of items are pre-loved, but we do try and make sure there are new things in there too. We recently made up a basket for a refugee family who had nothing. I thought how wonderful it would be for them to receive brand new items… “People who are not connected to The Salvation Army are really supporting us because they believe in what we are doing. Wombwell is such a giving community. There is a lot of poverty, but even when people are struggling, they want to give back.” We believe that a new addition to a family should be a source of joy- not worry. No new parents should struggle to provide basic items for their baby such as clothing or nappies. Join us in urging the government to prioritise families in their first budget and help lift them out of poverty: https://brnw.ch/21wMtZ5