Modern Slavery can be difficult to see, it can happen in workplaces, communities and supply chains, often thriving hidden in places that appear ordinary at first glance.
At Rebuild East Midlands, we support people who have experienced modern slavery and exploitation to find safety, rebuild their lives and shape a future on their own terms. This includes focussing on prevention and helping businesses understand the realities of modern slavery so that they can create safer workplaces and communities.
No business, service or community group can tackle exploitation alone. Lasting change comes when employers, suppliers, public bodies, voluntary organisations and people with lived experience work together.
What Businesses Can Gain From Rebuild Training
Here at Rebuild our training brings lived experience into the room, alongside relevant, close-to-home examples. This helps people move beyond abstract language and understand the real impact exploitation can have on individuals, families and communities.
Lived experience is at the heart of our services, our work is informed by the experiences of the individuals we support and helps us to ensure that the conversations we have with businesses remain authentic and relevant to the realities of exploitation.
Awareness training is important, but a partnership that grows with you and isn’t just ticking a compliance box helps keep the conversation relevant and ongoing.
A partnership with Rebuild means that your business directly funds front-line support for survivors of modern slavery and exploitation. This means you’re not only investing in your business but helping people rebuild their lives after exploitation.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and no organisation needs to claim perfection. What matters is a willingness to learn, to look honestly at current practice and to keep strengthening it. Alongside training, Rebuild East Midlands can support organisations through lived-experience-led consultancy and human-rights due diligence—helping turn good intentions into meaningful action.
Awareness into Action: Vaillant UK
We’re proud of our partnership with Vaillant Group UK, it’s a strong example of how lived experience, social value and responsible business can help create safer communities.
Their engagement with our modern slavery awareness training reflects a genuine commitment to social value: investing in people, being open to difficult conversations and playing a positive part in the communities around them. Approx 20 managers, line leaders, and production line managers were involved across 4 sessions at the Belper and Derby plants, focussing on spotting the signs and general awareness around modern slavery. An additional session was held for Vaillant’s Senior Leadership Team and heads of department around governance, legislation and human rights due diligence.
The training session was not about suggesting a problem at Vaillant. It was about recognising that every organisation has a role in helping to create safer workplaces and stronger communities
The Impact of Training
Joe Dunn, Director Plant Belper and Derby, Vaillant Group UK reflects on the training by saying “The modern slavery awareness training delivered by Paul and Rebuild East Midlands had a real impact on our team at Vaillant. The lived experience perspective, combined with close-to-home examples, made the subject feel real and relevant rather than a compliance exercise. You could see the team understand and engage as they connected the learning to real-world situations. The training increased awareness, prompted valuable discussions, and gave people practical pointers on what to look out for. I would recommend Rebuild East Midlands awareness training to other organisations”
Vaillant’s willingness to engage matters. It is an example of a business choosing to use its influence positively: supporting awareness, encouraging conversations and contributing to a wider culture in which exploitation is less able to flourish.
We are grateful for Vaillant’s partnership and their warm endorsement of our work. We look forward to continuing to work together, supporting survivors, strengthening communities and helping responsible business be part of the solution.
Strengthen your business. Lead change. Rebuild lives.
Join a network of employers who are leading the way in creating ethical, inclusive and sustainable workplaces — proving that good business and social impact go hand in hand. Enquire about our training and consultancy Training and awareness – Rebuild East Midlands or become a Rebuild Business Ambassador today – Business Ambassador Membership – Rebuild East Midlands
Contact paul@rebuildeastmidlands.org or Catriona@rebuildeastmidlands.org for an informal chat.
