Interview 12 and

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‘The initial training will last two sessions,’ she explains. ‘Advocates will then become members of a forum in which we will continuously share information regarding best practice and resources related to the Army’s anti-trafficking campaigns. We have a schedule of additional training seminars that will help expand their knowledge.’

There are benefits and pitfalls of using social media to highlight modern slavery to younger audiences.

‘Young people have grown up in a world that is extremely connected to 24-hour news cycles and so they hear and see a lot that is going on in the world,’ says Jo. ‘They are now very aware of social injustice, civil rights and environmentalism. The Black Lives Matter movement, for example, was a huge catalyst in utilising social media for social change.

4WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT SURVIVORS

SPOT THE SIGNS

Learn the tell-tale signs of modern slavery and where to get help for victims.

START A CONVERSATION

We can only end modern slavery if everyone recognises the scale of the problem. Get social and spread the word.

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME

You could help drive survivors to safe accommodation or act as a mentor as they begin their journey to recovery.

FUNDRAISE

£200 could provide baby clothes and equipment, such as a pushchair, for a survivor who has a child.

Visit salvationarmy.org.uk/modern-slavery to find out more

‘People of all ages are on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, but there is very little cross-generational communication within these channels. As a middle-aged woman I can post something very informative on my social media channels about modern slavery or human trafficking but, because of algorithms and because of who my follower base is, my posts are only seen by my own peer group.’ ‘We want to see more young people, such as these student advocates, using their channels to raise awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking,’ she adds. ‘There are still many people who do not understand how widespread it is.’ The recent revelations about

Olympic athlete Sir Mo Farah highlighted the prevalence of human trafficking in modern society.

‘His story opened everyone’s eyes and has changed the general public’s perspective on what modern slavery actually looks like,’ says Jo. It is happening all around us and not just in the darkest places imaginable.’

Asked whether the war in Ukraine and the Afghan refugee crisis have exacerbated the issue of human trafficking, Jo adds: ‘Wherever there is conflict there is exploitation. When individuals or families are displaced, the very worst of people will prey on their vulnerability.’

‘It is really important to develop and campaign for processes that ensure victims of conflict are not re-victimised,’ she continues. ‘We need to ensure that refugees find safety and refuge, and that they can flourish. While The Salvation Army has done that by mobilising its volunteers and establishing first responder networks, the student advocate programme will capitalise on young people’s deep sense of justice. It will turn their frustration, anger and sadness at the current state of the world into a positive action.’

GEORGE TANTON

Editorial Assistant Salvationist

There are hundreds of corps and centres in our territory, but what makes them The Salvation Army? In this series we discover just that! We are a faithful community

says Coedpoeth corps officer Captain Darren Hampton

MY wife and I have had the utter privilege of being corps officers in Coedpoeth for about four years and the word that sums up what we have seen in God’s people during this time is ‘faithful’.

We arrived to a busy weekly programme of two meetings on a Sunday and regular Sunday ministry at care homes and in the street. During the week there was the coffee morning, Bible study, band practice and clubs for children and youth. In addition there was a charity shop in the high street open Monday to Friday, run by the corps.

Four years later, after two years of disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, most of the programme has resumed. The shop relocated to its fourth location during the pandemic and is doing well, using the skills and experiences of a wonderful team of much wonderful work was going on throughout the week and changed their minds. This is just one example of partnership with other churches in the area.

The corps is active in the Minera and Coedpoeth Churches Together group and we regularly try to find ways in which we can worship and work together.

Another great partnership is with the Rhosllanerchrugog Corps, five miles away. The two corps share a band practice at Coedpoeth, with personnel from each corps present as well as other friends from the banding world.

After the retirement of the corps officer there, we began to share leadership for the evening meetings and, over the past few months, a special relationship has formed, with people from each corps attending worship and the midweek programme and sharing meals with each other.

Along with support from other officers and corps folk in the north Wales area we are discovering new life in what at one point seemed like a possible closure.

more than 20 volunteers. There has even been the addition of a midweek fellowship group called Around the Table, where we share crafts and conversations – and the occasional video of a rollercoaster ride – over a cup of tea and a biscuit.

PARTNERSHIP

The building where much of the programme happens is actually a Catholic church, which the corps has rented since 2004 – former corps officer General John Gowans preached at the service where the agreement was signed. For nearly two decades this has been a wonderful arrangement. We use the building in the week and the Catholics normally use it on Sundays and Wednesday evenings.

At one point closure was considered, until the decision-makers heard how

Coedpoeth and Rhosllanerchrugog corps folk celebrate Harvest Coedpoeth and Rhosllanerchrugog corps folk share Pentecostal lunch