Four of Greater Manchester’s most famous residents are teaming up to front a major new modern slavery campaign. Tameside BAFTA-nominee Julie Hesmondhalgh, Ancoats RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard, and Manchester Coronation Street star Shelley King, have partnered with North West charity Causeway for their Stand With Survivors campaign.
Joining them is Bolton-based Olympic boxer Cindy Ngamba.
In recent years, modern slavery cases across the North West of England have been on the rise. In 2023, the North West was one of the regions in England and Wales with the highest number of referrals for modern slavery support, through the government’s National Referral Mechanism, only coming behind London and the South East.
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.
Now Tameside-based Happy Valley and Mr Bates vs the Post Office actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, and Ancoats-based podcaster and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Danny Beard, have teamed up the North West modern slavery charity Causeway. They are fronting their new campaign called Stand With Survivors.
The campaign aims to increase awareness around modern slavery, and educate the public about the signs to look out for which indicate somebody may be experiencing modern slavery and exploitation.
Coronation Street star and Manchester resident Shelley King, who plays Yasmeen Nazir in the Salford-based soap, is also joining the campaign. Alongside them is Bolton-based Cindy Ngamba, who is the first-ever medalist for the Olympic Refugee Team, having won bronze at the 2024 Summer Olympics,
Causeway are one of the largest providers of modern slavery support in the the North West, having worked with thousands of survivors across Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cumbria and Cheshire, as well as in Yorkshire and the North East.
In a special celebrity film that has been produced for the campaign, Julie explains that when it comes to the number of people currently experiencing modern slavery, “globally, estimates put this figure at over 50 million”. Shelley goes on to say how “modern slavery takes many different forms”, and Cindy adds that potential signs of modern slavery can involve somebody “being deprived of basic necessities or afraid to speak”.
In another video which Danny has recorded for the campaign, they explain “Causeway do really important work supporting modern slavery survivors to recover from trauma and rebuild their lives, after being through such appalling situations”. They add that they hope the campaign “will raise the awareness needed to help reduce exploitation and modern slavery in all its forms”.
Other celebrities fronting Causeway’s Stand With Survivors campaign alongside Julie, Danny, Shelley and Cindy, include stand-up comedian and After Life actor Kerry Godliman, chef and Great British Menu host Andi Oliver, and EastEnders and Call the Midwife favourite Cliff Parisi.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
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?”
Edwin Buckley, Head of Communications and Engagement at Causeway, said: “We are so grateful to have Julie, Danny, Shelley and Cindy joining our star-studded line-up to front Causeway’s Stand With Survivors campaign. Modern slavery does not discriminate, anybody could find themselves affected by it, and statistics show it continues to be on the rise in the UK. Having these celebrities working with us to raise awareness and advocate against modern slavery is so impactful. The campaign is encouraging everybody to ‘stand with survivors’, and show our allyship, care and support for those who have been, or who are currently being, affected by modern slavery.”
Find out more about the Stand With Survivors campaign and watch the films on social media @CausewayCharity or by visiting www.wearecauseway.org.uk
