A new ecumenical partnership is has been announced in a bid to help tackle modern slavery in Sussex.

The Bishop of Lewes, The Rt Revd Will Hazelwood, and the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, The Rt Revd Richard Moth, will formally commission four ambassadors from the Diocese of Chichester and ten from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, to raise awareness of modern-day slavery within their respective dioceses on Anti-Slavery Day, October 18.  

The event will mark the launch of the initiative where Bishop Alastair Redfern, the national lead for the Clewer Initiative, will be the keynote speaker.  

Revd Karen Higgs, Assistant Curate for St Swithun, East Grinstead, said: “I was shocked to see how the exploitation of so many was happening right on our door steps. It is so important to begin to address these issues by raising awareness of modern day slavery in our communities. 

"When the opportunity came along to be a part of this vital communication as an Ambassador, I didn't hesitate."

Revd Martin Poole, chair of trustees for Together in Sussex said: “This is the start of what we hope will become a network of ambassadors who have received some initial training on this hidden issue and who will able to be a point of contact for churches who want more information or are concerned about this issue in their own locality.”