The Clewer Initiative

20/10/2026

Could your young person spot the signs of county lines exploitation? Our free lesson plans help schools explore county lines, child criminal exploitation and how young people can stay safe.

Download the resource today.

https://clewer.org.uk/resources/county-lines-lesson-plans-for-schools

18/10/2026

As we mark Anti-Slavery Day, we invite you to join us in this prayer written by Bishop Alastair.

Gracious God, we come to you this anti-slavery week and ask that the voices of suffering be better heard, the systems of oppression better challenged and changed, and the steps we take be an invitation to others to play their part in spreading the good news of your love. Through Jesus we pray.

16/10/2026

Amazing to hear stories from our network of ambassadors, and how they're inspiring others around them to learn more and take action. If you'd like to be an ambassador or find out more about starting a group, contact us!

This weekend, a network of volunteer Modern Slavery Ambassadors is being launched as part of the wider diocesan response to tackling modern slavery.

In a service to take place on Anti-Slavery Day (Sunday 18 October), the ambassadors will be appointed by the Bishop Simon Burton-Jones, the Bishop of Tonbridge.

For Mim, a volunteer youth and children’s worker and deanery synod lay member for Fawkham & Hartley and Longfield, becoming an ambassador is a natural response to her as a Christian, and having encountered modern slavery within her professional work.

😢“I have encountered Modern Slavery while supporting clients at Porchlight, the housing and homeless charity I work for. It’s a lot bigger than I ever imagined and it really shocked me.

"As a Christian and an Anglican, the one mark of mission that really resonates with me is that we are called to “challenge unjust structures in society”. Modern Slavery is certainly one such structure, so it’s clear that the Church has a role to play in this.

“It was really encouraging to me to see that the Diocese was creating ambassadors, so I signed up. It was definitely one of those 'find out what God is doing and join in' moments.

💡How does she hope to support churches understand this issue?

"Awareness is key. I’d like to help churches look for the tell-tale signs and feel confident in knowing what we can do about it. I’d like us to be able to reclaim our place in communities as somewhere safe that people can belong to; that God’s kingdom is bigger, better and that Modern Day Slavery has no place in our society."

🙏What is her encouragement be churches who doesn’t think this is in an issue in their area?

"Please reach out to the ambassadors. Have us visit your church and share about the realities. It truly is 'hidden in plain sight'. It’s not a pleasant thing to have to consider, but it is the society we live in.

"It doesn’t have to be our future though. Your prayers help, but also your action. This isn’t some remote situation taking place in someone else’s parish. It’s on our doorstep, whether we like it or not."

Read more about the Network 👉www.rochester.anglican.org/news/diocese-to-launch-network-of-ambassadors-to-help-tackle-modern-slavery.php

RNWK Churches The Clewer Initiative

16/10/2026

"It's always a powerful time prayer walking, and it's eye-opening to spend time reflecting on the exploitation that is probably happening closer than we realise."

Thanks Sasha for taking time to pray for those at risk of exploitation in your area and for sharing your Walk-See-Pray photo with us ahead of Anti-Slavery Day on Sunday.

14/10/2026

This Sunday marks Anti-Slavery Day.

Modern slavery affects people in communities across the UK, often hidden in plain sight.

This Anti-Slavery Day, take time to learn the signs of exploitation, pray for those affected, and consider joining our Walk-See-Pray initiative as a simple way to raise awareness in your local area.

Find out more at clewer.org.uk

13/10/2026

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our first ⭐Regional Meeting⭐, bringing together people from the Clewer Network based in the South East of England. We loved hearing about everything that is happening in the region, particularly this weekend for Anti-Slavery Day! It was also great to hear from Zoe and Mariana from the Rights Lab (University of Nottingham) about their research exploring what motivates faith-based, anti-slavery action. Encouraging to see so many people keen to collaborate and take action in their communities!

Our next regional meeting for the North of England will be on the 10 November. Details to follow!

13/10/2026

Thank you Tim and Cilla for sharing this photo from your Walk-See-Pray.

As they walked around their community, they took time to pray for those affected by exploitation and for freedom in their neighbourhood.

Have you prayed for your community? Join us and share your walking photos!

12/10/2026

New resource available to download.

Our new "Is this exploitation?" poster highlights some of the warning signs of modern slavery, including withheld passports, unexplained wage deductions, debt bo***ge, loss of freedom, and fear of speaking up.

Designed to help workers understand their rights and recognise when something isn't right, this free resource can be displayed in churches, community spaces, workplaces and support settings. We've also linked a multilingual self-identification tool to support discussion with someone you know.

Download and print your copy today from our website: clewer.org.uk/resources