TWO Barnsley business owners are to star in a special charity film with 17 celebrities from film, TV, music and sport.
This includes BAFTA-nominee Julie Hesmondhalgh, Great British Menu host Andi Oliver, After Life star Kerry Godliman, and former EastEnders actor Maisie Smith. The film has been produced by South Yorkshire charity Causeway to raise awareness of modern slavery.
It is estimated that over 50 million people worldwide are currently trapped in modern slavery and exploitation, with over 100,000 of those in the UK. Survivors in the UK will most commonly have experienced labour exploitation, sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation.
Recent reports have found that from July 2023 to June 2024, Yorkshire and the North East was the fifth region in England and Wales with the highest number of referrals for modern slavery support, through the government’s National Referral Mechanism.
Now Barnsley-based Lisa Hawksby, who was brought up in Darfield and now lives in Tankersley, is teaming up with famous faces from stage and screen to feature in a film for the South Yorkshire modern slavery charity Causeway. Lisa is Managing Director of Total Training Provision, a learning and development company with offices on Churchfield Court and Burleigh Street.
Joining Lisa, pictured, is fellow Barnsley resident Neil Garrett, pictured, who was born and bred in the town. Neil is Founder and Creative Director of Ginger Fox Studio, a branding and design studio based at The Digital Media Centre on County Way.
The film is part of Causeway’s new campaign called Stand With Survivors, which aims to increase awareness around modern slavery, and educate the public about the signs to look out for which indicate somebody may be experiencing it.
Appearing alongside Lisa and Neil in the film are BAFTA-nominee and Mr Bates vs the Post Office actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, chef and Great British Menu host Andi Oliver, stand-up comedian and After Life star Kerry Godliman, and Call the Midwife actor Cliff Parisi.
Also involved are Fantastic Beasts’ Derek Riddell, EastEnders’ Maisie Smith, The Last Kingdom‘s Jacob Dudman, Coronation Street‘s Shelley King, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard.
Other celebrities taking part are West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis, Olympic boxer Cindy Ngamba, 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.
Total Training Provision have been supporting Causeway for several years, and last year they selected the charity to become their official charity partner. Lisa has since led her team in a range of fundraising initiatives, including a ‘Christmas-off’, the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, a winter sleep out, and a 24-hour ‘karaoke-a-thon’. They also worked with the Causeway in designing one of their first criminal justice programmes.
Meanwhile Ginger Fox Studio partnered with Causeway earlier this year to redesign their website. This included Neil and his team helping to create Causeway’s newly launched Help & Advice Hub. This is a free digital resource that anybody can access to find modern slavery support and guidance for themselves or somebody else they may be concerned about.
In the special film produced by Causeway, you will see both Lisa and Neil urging the public to join them and “stand with survivors”. You will also see celebrity Kerry Godliman explaining: “If somebody finds themselves in a place of vulnerability or crisis, they can be particularly at risk” of modern slavery. Andi Oliver goes on to say “modern slavery does not always mean somebody is being physically deprived of their freedom, although this does happen”.
Cliff Parisi says “signs of modern slavery can be nuanced and hard to spot”, with Julie Hesmondhalgh adding “If you think somebody may be experiencing modern slavery, please visit Causeway’s website [www.wearecauseway.org.uk] or call the UK Modern Slavery Helpline [08000 121 700].”
You can find out more about the Stand With Survivors campaign and watch the film on social media @CausewayCharity or by visiting www.wearecauseway.org.uk
Lisa Hawksby said: “Total Training Provision have been supporting Causeway for a while now as we really believe in the work they do helping survivors of modern slavery and exploitation to recover from their experiences. This film is an opportunity for the wider public to learn more about how prevalent human trafficking and labour exploitation is in the UK, and how we all need to stand with survivors.”
Neil Garrett said: “We worked with Causeway this year on their new website and had the opportunity to really get to know more about the issue of human trafficking and exploitation across the UK. It’s far more serious than many people would ever guess, so it’s really important that we all educate ourselves as much as possible about the signs of modern slavery, and that we stand with survivors on their recovery journey when they manage to find freedom.”
Edwin Buckley, Head of Communications and Engagement at Causeway, said: “Not only are Total Training Provision and Ginger Fox Studio key partners for Causeway, but Lisa and Neil themselves are now dedicated and loyal supporters of our work. We are so grateful that they agreed to feature in our Stand With Survivors film alongside the celebrities. We hope the film will be a powerful way for us to reach more people, raise awareness and advocate against modern slavery. We want to 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.”
Julie 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.”
Kerry Godliman said: “I was horrified to learn just how prevalent modern slavery is, and so supporting Causeway’s Stand With Survivors campaign was a no brainer. This campaign is all about us coming together and standing alongside survivors who have been affected. These are people just like me and you, and people who deserve the same dignity, freedom and care.”
Andi Oliver said: “Slavery is not only a dark lesson from history. Modern slavery can affect anybody anywhere. It is estimated that over 100,000 people in the UK are currently trapped in modern slavery and exploitation. I stand with survivors, will you stand with me?”
Cliff Parisi said: “Every single day the Causeway team support hundreds of modern slavery survivors to rebuild their lives and build happy, safe and fulfilling futures. However they rely on the support and generosity of people like me and you in order to carry out this vitally important work. I feel very grateful to be supporting this great charity and I hope others will join me in doing the same.”
Derek Riddell said: “Modern slavery and exploitation can take several different forms, but every single one of them is abusive, traumatic and cruel. Everybody has the right to feel safe and have autonomy over their lives, however this can be ripped away from survivors of modern slavery. Please support Causeway’s Stand With Survivors campaign, and let’s commit ourselves to trying to bring an end to this awful practice.”
Maisie Smith said: “I am proud to be standing with Causeway and alongside survivors of modern slavery. The survivors Causeway support have been through such awful experiences, which most of us couldn’t imagine. However coming together, standing alongside survivors, and showing we care and support them, is so important.”
Jacob Dudman said: “I am proud to be an ambassador for Causeway and the incredible work that they do. Campaigns like this are vital in our collective stride towards a world free from modern slavery and exploitation. Please do support the Causeway, and most importantly, the survivors which they work with. It really does make a huge difference.”
Shelley King said: “Causeway work tirelessly to support modern slavery survivors to rebuild their lives, and empowering them to live freely and without fear. However, the reality is that modern slavery is on the rise, and that’s why it’s so important that as a community we come together, to build a world free from modern slavery, and one where nobody is left vulnerable and exposed to exploitation.”
Danny Beard said: “Causeway do really important work supporting modern slavery survivors to recover from trauma and rebuild their lives, after being through such appalling situations. It is an honour to be supporting their Stand With Survivors campaign, and I hope it will raise the awareness needed to help reduce exploitation and modern slavery in all its forms.”
Kerry Ellis said: “I am really proud to be supporting Causeway’s Stand With Survivors campaign. The support Causeway provide to survivors of modern slavery is vital, helping them build safe, free and fulfilling futures after coming out of such horrific experiences. I urge everybody to stand with survivors and show their support and allyship for all of those individuals who have been affected by modern slavery.”
Cindy Ngamba said: “I am proud to be supporting Causeway. We’re coming together to encourage everybody to stand with survivors of modern slavery, and create a world where everyone has the same rights and freedoms. Any way you can support Causeway and the important work they do would be massively appreciated.”
Charlie Hardwick said: “Every single person has the right to live their life freely and safely. However sadly, survivors of modern slavery often have this right taken away. Causeway do fantastic work supporting survivors to recover from the traumas they’ve experienced, and so I’m truly honoured to be supporting this campaign.”
Matt Jameson said: “Causeway support some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society. The modern slavery survivors they work with have often been through unimageable and horrific experiences. Being involved in this campaign is something I’m both proud to be doing, but also something I feel is essential to raise awareness and begin driving vital change.”
Theo Mayne said: “Survivors of modern slavery have been through awful situations, and I’m in awe of the work Causeway do in supporting them to rebuild their lives. These are people who have often lost their support networks and are separated from loved ones. Please join me in supporting this super important campaign.”
Miles Asteri said: “Modern slavery is sadly far too prevalent in our society, and so it’s essential that we come together to raise awareness and drive the change needed for those affected. Anybody could find themselves at risk of modern slavery, and the LGBTQ+ community are one of the groups in particular that can often be targeted. This makes it a cause particularly close to my heart, and I’m determined to do everything I can to help create change for survivors, and for all of society.”
Find out more about the Stand With Survivors campaign and watch the film on social media @CausewayCharity or by visiting www.wearecauseway.org.uk
About Causeway
Causeway are a modern slavery and crime reduction charity headquartered in Sheffield, supporting 2,000 individuals each year across Yorkshire, the North West and the North East.
Causeway are one of the UK’s largest providers of modern slavery support and have been running for over 10 years – they currently support over 2,000 individuals each year across their services.
Causeway runs 10 x modern slavery and crime reduction services – which includes safehouses, outreach programmes, one-to-one specialist support, holistic crisis support, and training courses.
Causeway also drives change through research, campaigns and strategic partnerships.
About Modern Slavery
Modern Slavery is when somebody is controlled and exploited by threats, violence, coercion, deception or abuse of power – often involving being forced to work for free or extremely low wages.
Modern slavery can take many forms – including human trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage, criminal exploitation, sexual exploitation, forced marriage and organ harvesting.
It is estimated that over 50 million people around the world are currently trapped in modern slavery and exploitation – with more than 100,000 of those in the UK.
Modern slavery is on the rise – it’s projected it currently costs the UK £33 billion per year.
Modern slavery does not discriminate – it can affect men, women and children, those from the UK and those from overseas.
Currently 76% of those identified as modern slavery victims in the UK are male, and 24% female.
The majority of survivors of labour exploitation, criminal exploitation and organ harvesting are male – whilst the majority of sexual exploitation and domestic exploitation are female.
The most common nationalities of potential modern slavery victims identified in the UK are currently British, Albanian and Vietnamese – UK nationals account for 25% of potential victims.
