During Anti-Slavery Week, my charity of the week is the Medaille Trust, who are carrying out some excellent work here in the town along with Swindon Police to tackle modern slavery. Back in April of this year, I was pleased to open the tenth Medaille Trust safe house for modern slavery survivors here in South Swindon. The new safe house is the charity's second one in Wiltshire and provides nine en-suite rooms and extensive garden grounds, which staff hope to use to grow fruits and vegetables. It houses male survivors of modern slavery. The other Wiltshire house caters for female survivors of modern slavery.
I am aware that several agencies are collaborating to tackle modern slavery locally. But it is also vital that while we go after traffickers, we provide refuge and care to the men, women, and children escaping from those who exploit them. That is why I am delighted that Medaille Trust has expanded its work in this area by opening a new safe house for survivors of modern slavery. While at the house, I was able to meet and chat with some of the survivors and the staff supporting them.
I was happy to hear about Medaille's work in providing not just accommodation but personalised support so that these survivors can recover from their terrible experiences and rebuild their lives. Medaille is a valued subcontractor under the Government's Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (MSVCC) with The Salvation Army, which funds supported accommodation for victims of modern slavery. This charity is doing incredible work in my constituency, and I look forward to it continuing to grow and expand its work. As MP for this area, I stand ready to support Medaille Trust as much as possible.
You can help the police, the Medaille Trust and their partners here in Swindon by using your eyes and ears and reporting information that doesn’t feel right or where you feel exploitation is happening, and together we can stop exploitation. Anyone who suspects modern slavery or human trafficking is taking place in their area should report any suspicious incidents via 101 or the Wiltshire Police website. Alternatively, information can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
