Back In Control Project

About Back in Control (BIC) Project

Between June 2019 and August 2022, we delivered the 1st phase a project named “Back in Control” in order to identify instances of modern slavery and workplace exploitation in the Sunderland area and empower former victims to regain control of their lives. We also raise awareness of modern slavery and workplace exploitation among local organisations through seminars and outreach initiatives. On 01/08/2022, we launched the 2nd phase of this project with more emphasis on wellbeing, prevention and education.

The project aims to:

  • Identify victims of modern-day slavery and take appropriate steps to end exploitative situations.
  • Individually support former victims of modern-day slavery, enabling them to become resilient and regain control of their lives.
  •  Provide former victims with improved access to employment opportunities.
  •  Improve the financial prospects for former victims.
  • Provide local organisations with the tools and knowledge to recognise workplace exploitation and modern slavery.
  •  Recruit and train new volunteers.

BiC – Phase 1

During the 1st phase, we have been able to engage with and provide support to 90 clients, 11 of whom have been moved to the 2nd phase of the project (hence, improvements could only have been measured for clients who have left the programme). These clients received holistic support with issues such as access to welfare and housing, immigration, wellbeing and counselling support, as well as liaison with external organisations such as the council regarding correspondence.
Additionally, we have also supported clients who were being exploited at work to write grievance letters.  Emergency support has been provided during the pandemic, which included starting English language classes in response to other services closing, as well as material support, such as food vouchers and connectivity equipment, as well as internet access.
Through the project, we were able to support 54 clients to improve their financial situation, and 44 clients to improve their control of their life. We have also been able to support clients to improve their wellbeing and confidence.
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Back in Control 2 update- August 2024:

The funding we have received from the National Lottery Community Fund has enabled ICOS to
provide vital and valuable support to BME people affected by Modern Day Slavery and
Workplace Exploitation in Sunderland and the surrounding area.

This has especially focused on several aspects of their lives:

● Benefits
● Housing
● Support with immigration issues
● Material support
● Removing barriers in a flexible way
● General support and life and the UK, civic duties
● Employability
● Supporting asylum seekers
● Involvement and inclusion

We are working with a total of 100 clients (currently: 71)

● 18 have reported benefit awards (we believe this to be underreported, as some clients
did not recognise some of the awards as benefits)
● 15 have reported being in a better housing situation
● 14 have reported better English Language skills
● 18 have reported feeling safer
● 13 have improved their knowledge on where to seek help in crisis
● 15 have become more independent
● Moreover, 44 out of 45 considered (through reviews or exits) recommended

ICOS Support from the BIC2 Project and ICOS:

● Fundamental in facilitating clients’ escape of labour exploitation/ modern day slavery and
rebuilding their lives afterwards.
● Emergency support including support with accommodation, travel, and food via the BIC2
programme, which prevented re-exploitation.
● Day-to-day support, enabling clients to obtain welfare entitlements, health care and
longer-term accommodation/housing.
● Support in gaining employment and accessing education and training.
● Wellbeing and mental health support, and opportunities to join local groups and
activities.
● Interpretation and translation support, aiding ability to effectively communicate with the
necessary agencies, services, and authorities.
● Significant support in gaining settlement status, seeking asylum, and gaining refugee
status.

The project is running until May 2025.

For more information contact Michal Chantkowski, Development and Services Manager,
michal@icos.org.uk, 07596538482. ICOS would like to thank the National Lottery Community
Fund for their generous funding and support.

BIC Referral

We are keen to link with local organisations to ensure that Back in Control Project reaches the people who need it most. We need you to identify people you are working with who have suffered from modern slavery, workplace exploitation and need a helping hand. Refer them to us and we will do the rest.

Please download the referral form as a pdf document to your computer by Clicking Here

Please complete this referral form with the person being referred.

GDPR Note: We collect the minimum amount of data we need, follow GDPR’s rules regarding how to store personal data and honour the rights of the individual. 

Please email your scanned completed referral form (as an attachment) to office@icos.org.uk or post to 14 Foyle Street, Sunderland, SR1 1LE

Project Steering Group

The Back in Control 2 project has an active Project Steering Group (PSG), composed of 6 current project clients.

They help us to shape the project, make it more accessible, and act as project ambassadors, and critical friends to the project. They halil from a diverse range of countries and ethnicities, including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ukraine and Poland.

We are grateful for their work and we hope to expand it soon!

 

Please email your scanned completed referral form (as an attachment) to office@icos.org.uk or post to 14 Foyle Street, Sunderland, SR1 1LE

BIC Posters in different languages:

Media

The Project was reported on by the Sunderland Echo on 18th September 2019, see:  Sunderland Echo Back in Control

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