The Clewer Initiative is committed to working with cathedrals, schools and other educational settings to engage young people and raise awareness of the horror of modern slavery.
It has worked closely with dioceses and statutory organisations to run Breaking County Lines training courses and organise other county lines awareness initiatives such as assemblies, art exhibitions and seminars in schools.
The Clewer Initiative is currently working with the police in Cumbria on a county lines programme for schools.
Because of the sensitive and upsetting nature of the crime, it is vital that all work with children and young people is appropriately safeguarded and risk assessed. Schools and learning centres usually carry out risk assessments and follow their own safeguarding procedures before embarking upon any modern slavery awareness activities.
To find out more, visit www.theclewerinitiative.org/training-courses/breaking-county-lines
The Clewer Initiative has also developed a pilot education project with Ely Cathedral Learning Centre to see how cathedrals can use their space and position in communities to educate the next generation about modern slavery.
The team at Ely Cathedral has worked hard over the last few years to engage local school children. Its 2021 Anti-Slavery schools day was a big success and for Autumn 2022, it is showcasing the incredible Hear my voice refugee art exhibition.
Our hope is that other cathedrals will follow Ely's lead and consider how they can contextualise the material to their communities so that more children can learn about modern slavery.
If you would like to discuss developing a similar education project in your community, please email clewerinitiative@churchofegland.org
