A woman who previously attended St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School has turned her attentions to supporting modern slavery survivors this Christmas by launching a campaign called Stand With Survivors This Winter.  Lucy Smith felt urged to do something to help, after learning first-hand the challenges survivors can face in her new job as PA to the CEO at the modern slavery charity Causeway.

Over the past year, the South West and West Midlands accounted for 12% of all referrals for modern slavery support in England and Wales, through the government’s National Referral Mechanism.  In the UK labour exploitation, sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation are the most common forms of modern slavery, with it estimated that there will be 100,000 people trapped in modern slavery and exploitation in the UK this Christmas.

Lucy Smith, 29, was born and bought up in the St Werburghs area of Bristol, and attended St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School from 2005 to 2010.  She then went on to study at South Gloucestershire & Stroud College, before going to study Business and Events Management at the University of the West of England.

IKEA Bristol shoppers may recognise St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School alumni Lucy, as she spent over six years as a Sales Assistant at the store.  However, it was her new job as Executive Assistant to the CEO at the national modern slavery charity Causeway, that took Lucy from cashier to campaigner.

In her new role, Lucy began to meet real survivors of modern slavery and hear their stories.  It was a topic she previously didn’t know too much about, but the more she learnt, the more she wanted to do something to shine a light on the issue and help support those who has experienced modern slavery.

Lucy has now launched a special Christmas campaign called Stand With Survivors This Winter.  She discovered the winter months in particular can be difficult for survivors of modern slavery who Causeway work with, with loneliness, isolation, mental health challenges and a need for financial support all increasing.

Lucy is hoping that Stand With Survivors This Winter will help raise awareness of modern slavery over the festive season. She is also hoping to raise funds for Causeway, as the charity relies on public donations to run a number of their modern slavery services.

Lucy said: “Modern slavery really is hidden in plain sight. The more I got to know about it, the more I discovered how widespread it is.  It’s happening in towns and cities across the UK and anybody could find themselves affected.

All too often we may see stories about modern slavery on the news, and as much as people are alarmed, they can feel powerless to do anything. However having had the privilege of meeting real modern slavery survivors over the past year, it gave me that push to do something, and that’s when I set about developing the Stand With Survivors This Winter campaign.

The festive period can often be a time of celebration and coming together with friends and family. However for many of those recovering from modern slavery, they can be apart and isolated from their connections and community. As they live with the trauma they’ve experienced, and can face further barriers as they try to rebuild their lives and independence, I’ve seen the winter months being particularly hard.

All too often we may see stories about modern slavery on the news, and as much as people are alarmed, they can feel powerless to do anything. 

I urge everybody to please donate whatever they can to Causeway and the Stand With Survivors This Winter campaign.  I’ve seen just how vital the work which Causeway do is for those who have experienced modern slavery. However, donations from the public are needed, so lots of their services can keep running.  Any amount you may be able to give would be super, super appreciated.”

Find out more about Lucy’s Stand With Survivors This Winter campaign by visiting www.wearecauseway.org.uk and donate £5 by texting SURVIVOR to 70970