One of Ealing's famous exports has teamed up with fellow film and TV stars to front a major new modern slavery campaign. 

Stand-up comedian and After Life star Kerry Godliman has joined forces with modern slavery charity Causeway, and celebrities including Julie Hesmondhalgh and Andi Oliver, for their Stand With Survivors campaign.

According to Causeway, In 2023 London accounted for 45% of all referrals for modern slavery support, through the government's National Referral Mechanism. 

This meant London had nearly four times as many new modern slavery victims identified than any other region in England and Wales.

It is estimated that over 50 million people worldwide are currently trapped in modern slavery and exploitation, with over 100,000 of those in the UK. 

Survivors in the UK will most commonly have experienced labour exploitation, sexual exploitation and criminal exploitation.

Now Ealing-born actor and comedian Kerry Godliman, 50, has teamed up with the UK modern slavery charity Causeway, to front a new campaign called Stand With Survivors. 

As well as being a successful stand-up comedian, Kerry is known for her roles as Lisa Johnson in Netflix's After Life, Sonya Reeves in ITV's Trigger Point, care home manager Hannah in Channel 4's Derek, and Pearl Nolan in Acorn TV's Whitstable Pearl.

The Survivors: Life Beyond Exploitation campaign aims to increase awareness around modern slavery, and educate the public about the signs to look out for which indicate somebody may be experiencing modern slavery and exploitation.

In a special film that has been produced for the campaign, Kerry explains "If somebody finds themselves in a place of vulnerability or crisis, they can be particularly at risk". She goes on to say how "Causeway are one of the largest providers of modern slavery support in the UK".

Other celebrities fronting Causeway's Stand With Survivors campaign alongside Kerry, include BAFTA-nominee and Mr Bates vs the Post Office actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, chef and Great British Menu host Andi Oliver, and EastEnders and Call the Midwife star Cliff Parisi.

Kerry Godliman said: "I was horrified to learn just how prevalent modern slavery is, and so supporting Causeway's Stand With Survivors campaign was a no brainer. This campaign is all about us coming together and standing alongside survivors who have been affected. These are people just like me and you, and people who deserve the same dignity, freedom and care."

Julie Hesmondhalgh added: "Causeway support some of the most marginalised people in our society. Their experiences and voices are all too often not heard or valued. 

"I am honoured to be involved with this Stand With Survivors campaign, and hope it will shine a much-needed spotlight on modern slavery, and help towards creating lasting change for the brave survivors affected by it."

Find out more about the Stand With Survivors campaign and watch Kerry's film on social media @CausewayCharity or by visiting www.wearecauseway.org.uk