Bright Future Co-op & Tackling Modern Slavery
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Published 30 Jul 2024 in Raising Awareness
Today marks the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a day established to raise awareness for victims of human trafficking victims, and to continue to promote and protect their rights – a cause which we, as a Society, believe strongly in supporting.
Our Society purpose states that we’re using the power of co-operation to build a fairer, more sustainable, and ethical future. A key part of that is helping to overcome barriers to employment where possible, including for survivors of Modern Slavery.
Modern slavery remains, sadly, a global issue. A recent United Nations report found that trafficking victims were citizens of 152 different countries, showing the scale of the issue worldwide.
We have today published our eighth annual Modern Slavery Statement – which can be read here – detailing our continuous efforts to play our part in tackling the issue of Modern Slavery within the UK. This statement is shared with all new suppliers to ensure they not only share our values, but that they also adhere to our employment legislation.
Our work in supporting Bright Future Co-operative demonstrates this commitment in aiming to build a fairer future for survivors – not only through membership, but through having colleagues on their Board as well as offering employment opportunities across our trading business.
Bright Future Co-op was formed in 2020 to bring charities and businesses together to offer stable employment for survivors of modern slavery. Our Society was not only a founding member, but our Chief Values Officer, Pete Westall, is also the founding chair of the Bright Future Board, and our Society’s Senior Legal Counsel, Sean McGovern, is its Secretary.
It now has over 30 members, including Aldi, Morrisons and Heart of England Co-op which have joined this year, along with fresh food manufacturer Bakkavor and construction equipment firm Speedy Services.
To date, more than 85 people have found stable work through Bright Future Co-op, which is a fantastic achievement, but we hope that this is just the beginning. Its success over the past four years is testament to the global co-operative movement’s drive and determination to eradicate the issue of modern slavery and just how much can be achieved when we work together.
Our Chief Values Officer, Peter Westall mentioned, “Bright Future Co-op was founded to help survivors of modern slavery live in freedom with dignity. It’s business members, including Midcounties, provide safe, stable and secure employment for survivors in sectors from Food retail to Childcare, and from Construction to Food production. As a Co-op, Bright Future is governed on a democratic membership model, providing equal representation and voice to business members, referral members and survivors themselves. It’s governed and organised by volunteers from amongst its members – a true example of Doing Good Together.”
If you know of any other business that you think would be keen to be involved, please contact info@brightfuture.coop.