ONE of Worcester’s famous residents has teamed up with fellow film and TV stars to front a major new modern slavery campaign.
The Traitors UK star Miles Asteri has joined forces with modern slavery charity Causeway, and celebrities including Julie Hesmondhalgh and Kerry Godliman, for their Stand With Survivors campaign.
In recent years, modern slavery cases in the West Midlands have been on the rise. From July 2023 to June 2024, the West Midlands accounted for eight per cent of all referrals for modern slavery support in England and Wales, through the government’s National Referral Mechanism.
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 will most commonly have experienced labour exploitation, sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation.
Now Worcester-based reality TV star Miles Asteri has teamed up with UK modern slavery charity Causeway, to front their new campaign called Stand With Survivors. Podcaster and veterinary nurse
Miles was born in Birmingham, however Worcester is the city he now calls home. He rose to fame when he took part in BBC One’s The Traitors UK earlier this year.
The Survivors: Life Beyond Exploitation 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.
In a special film that has been produced for the campaign, Miles explains that signs of modern slavery can include somebody being “in physical distress, showing physical injuries or displaying a poor physical appearance”. He goes on to say how “Causeway can’t do their work alone”, urging the audience to support the charity, who are one of the largest providers of modern slavery support in the UK.
Other celebrities fronting the campaign alongside Miles, include Mr Bates vs the Post Office star and BAFTA-nominee Julie Hesmondhalgh, 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.
Miles 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.”
To find out more visit www.wearecauseway.org.uk
