A ‘powerful’ new campaign has been launched by a Sheffield charity worker, after witnessing a prevalence of modern slavery in South Yorkshire.

Edwin Buckley, 34, started his Stand With Survivors campaign at Causeway Sheffield, a charity supporting survivors of modern slavery.

His campaign has gained the support of 17 celebrities, including BAFTA-nominee Julie Hesmondhalgh, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, Great British Menu host Andi Oliver, After Life star Kerry Godliman, and former EastEnders actor Maisie Smith.

Mr Buckley said: “Modern slavery does not discriminate. We need to listen to the stories of the survivors – they’re just like me and you, and this can and does happen to anyone, often in plain sight.”

Causeway support over 2000 individuals every year.

The campaign launched three weeks ago and is set to continue into November, with the second part of the campaign focussed on how to be an ally to survivors.

Modern slavery is a form of exploitation that involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to make victims work through labour or sexual exploitation, with very low or no pay. 

This can manifest in various ways, including human trafficking, forced labor, debt bondage, criminal exploitation, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, and organ harvesting.

Causeway estimate that 50 million people worldwide are currently trapped in modern slavery, with over 100,000 being in the UK.

Mr Buckley said: “Due to misunderstandings and due to a rise in modern slavery, with modern slavery evolving to take new forms, there’s a real need to educate the general public about what modern slavery actually is, and what signs to look out for.” 

Mr Buckley and the celebrities came together to make a video explaining what modern slavery is, and how to look out for the signs that someone may need help. 

Mr Buckley said: “Modern slavery can happen to anybody, in any town or city around the UK. This campaign is about being an ally to survivors of modern slavery and looking out for everyone.”

Survivors are referred to Causeway through the National Referral Mechanism, which the government uses as a framework to identify potential victims of modern slavery. 

Mr Buckley added: “Hopefully, the more people know about modern slavery, the less it will keep happening.”

Causeway offers safehouses, outreach and helplines to survivors, and takes donations of clothing, new bedding and more. Find out more here: Donate Causeway.