“When I started the Ingredients for Life course I was struggling with going outside the house, but the course motivated me to get outside. It helped with my fear and slowly made me confident that I can do this and it’s not as scary to be outside as it was in my head.” (Course participant)
A modern slavery support charity has teamed up with major food retailers and producers to run cookery courses for survivors of exploitation.
Causeway, a national anti-slavery charity, developed Ingredients for Life with supermarket chain Asda, as a way of providing people affected by modern slavery with a way of learning new skills, meeting new people, and developing their confidence.
Pilot sessions, which saw participants attend three 180-minute cooking courses run by professional chefs in company innovation kitchens, were so successful that the scheme has been adopted by numerous other food production companies, with room for more to come on board.
Causeway’s Chief Operating Officer Amy Bond, said: “Ingredients for Life offers a holistic approach in the recovery of people who have experienced exploitation. It’s designed to create tangible change in the lives of survivors of modern slavery, and we have already seen significant positive outcomes.
“These include a reduction in the fear of men in female survivors; a decrease in the hold of eating disorders; increased confidence to leave the house and use public transport; increased engagement with support services, as well as healthier eating and improved cooking skills. These incredible results show that this is more than just a cookery course, it is a tool that can help survivors to overcome trauma and break through barriers in their lives.”
Participants, who have typically experienced forced labour, forced sex work, or forced domestic servitude, recorded a 58% reduction in the impact of their exploitation on their daily lives thanks to taking part in the course.
Anna Smith, Asda’s Modern Slavery Subject Matter Expert, said: “I got involved in Ingredients for Life at a really exciting time in the evolution of the project. We had piloted lessons in our own innovation kitchens and wanted to explore testing the initiative further in collaboration with one of Asda’s suppliers.
“Our supplier Greencore stepped up to the challenge, delivering both in-person lessons and an online version of the programme. They demonstrated that the initiative has the flexibility to be adapted by other organisations, and help a greater number of modern slavery survivors in the future by aiding their recovery and boosting their confidence.
“We are now at the stage where we want to extend the programme’s reach much further and we hope that many more businesses and partners will join us in delivering lessons directly. Having seen first-hand the impact the programme has had not only on survivors, but for colleagues that have been involved in delivering the lessons, I’d encourage any businesses and charities to learn more about the initiative and get involved.”
Pilgrim’s, the UK’s largest high welfare pork and lamb food producer, run Ingredients for Life courses from their innovation kitchens. Human Rights Manager, Andy York, said: “We are keen to be involved in the Ingredients for Life scheme as it’s the next step on our pathway to supporting victims of modern slavery back into a normal life in the UK. As a food company, it allows us to be passionate about our product and help equip people with the skills they need to help them in their reintegration, and give them the life skills they need to grow again. Our development teams have been so passionate about being involved, and have helped to educate and engage our wider teams on modern slavery and the survivor journey.”
Cassie Leisk, Planet and People Group Director from New England Seafood, who have also hosted cooking courses, said: “New England Seafood International are proud to be a partner with Ingredients for Life. The opportunity to be part of an initiative that is making a positive difference to people’s lives fully aligns with our core purpose ‘to enhance lives through fish.’ Eradicating modern slavery remains a core focus for us, and this initiative gives us an opportunity to be able to help those affected.”
Ingredients for Life is a scheme that can change the lives of survivors. If you are a business with an innovation kitchen who would be interested in hosting courses, or you’re part of an organisation that supports survivors of exploitation, and would like to find out more, please email ifl@wearecauseway.org.uk or visit our webpage https://www.wearecauseway.org.uk/partnerships/ingredients-for-life/
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