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One of the final stages in recovery is being able to find safe, paid employment. There are multiple barriers for survivors ranging from gaps in employment history, lack of references, fears about employment, no history of unexploited labour, lack of relevant experience or education. However, being able to maintain your own job and income is a significant part of re-gaining agency and control.
The Co-op are committed to tackling modern slavery in their supply chains but are going one step further.
“Bright Future is providing a pathway to paid employment for victims of modern slavery. In 2017 our goal is to offer 30 people who’ve been rescued from conditions of slavery in the UK, the opportunity of paid work experience and, if suitable, a guaranteed job.”
– read the full ‘Bright Future’ statement here.
Two survivors have already been through the bright future programme with one going through to employment. We are excited to build on this partnership as we begin to create a readiness for work programme to help prepare survivors to start their placements.
“We need more companies to respond to modern slavery like the Co-op. This pioneering approach to victim support will provide long-term care, boost opportunities for the future and, most importantly of all, prevent the risk of re-trafficking”
– Kevin Hyland, Anti-Slavery Commissioner
If you think your organisation could provide safe work placements for survivors in other industries such as hair and beauty, catering, cleaning etc, we would love to hear from you. Email us or call us on 07881 997983.
Prior to employment, many survivors need to develop their training and education. Northern College have worked with us to identify routes in to different courses for different levels of ability, ranging from basic English and Maths courses to speaking with confidence to exploring history.
“I had an amazing time today. The college was perfect and the teachers told me they didn’t know I would be so good! I can’t believe how much my life has changed”
– Sophie* after visiting the college for her first induction and assessment July, 2017
Many of our clients have limited or no English when they are first referred. This creates an increased risk of isolation, an increased risk of mental health issues and an increased risk of further harm and exploitation. A number of clients struggle to access ESOL elsewhere in the city as there is no child care provision with the classes. At Snowdrop, we provide childcare through our volunteer system while Hope English provides the teaching. Our weekly classes are well attended and they help to build a sense of community and improved confidence for clients.
Hope English offer a quality learning environment with fully qualified CELTA trained teachers who come from established experience-based backgrounds. We have found an improvement in confidence from the beginning of the term to the end, with students reporting they feel better equipped to communicate in their daily lives.
“Before I cannot speak English. Now I can!”
– Jenny* Snowdrop English student, July 2017