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
Back in Control 2 update- February 2025:
Interim evaluation report- 2024/2025
The project has provided 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
So far, we have been able to achieve the following:
27 clients have reported improved wellbeing
24 clients have reported an improved financial situation
23 clients have experienced improved stability (e.g., as a result of their housing or immigration status changing)
8 clients have become volunteers, gaining skills and confidence, including members of the Project Steering Group, who help to shape the project.
Prevention, discovery and rescue, and awareness raising of 20 clients. (currently: 49).
We have a total of 82 clients.
Additionally:
-19 have reported benefit awards (we believe this to be underreported, as some clients did not recognise some of the awards as benefits)
-20 have reported being in a better housing situation
-17 have reported better English Language skills
-18 have reported feeling safer
Moreover, 64 out of 66 considered (through reviews or exits) recommended ICOS
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 August 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