A DISPLAY of knitted ‘chains’ can be seen in St Paul’s Church, Wokingham.
The links were created by members of Mother’s Union in the Diocese of Oxford, which covers the boroughs of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Berkshire.
The chain contains 1,460 knitted links – an approximation of the number of people subject to slavery within the three boroughs.
“The number is based on our understanding of the Clewer Initiative,” says Jean Vaughan, member of the Mothers’ Union.
“This is a national work of the Church of England to combat modern slavery.
“The group advises us that there are currently around 1,460 slave victims in the diocese.”
The display has been working its way around the diocese since it was first unveiled in 2021at a service for the 16 Days Of Activism, at St Mary’s Church, Reading.
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Information accompanying the display reveals that nationally there are around 136,000 slaves, with 325 of them in Reading.
Members of Mothers Union from the following nearby groups helped, along with other groups, to create the display: All Saints, Wokingham; Caversham, Reading; Crowthorne, Berkshire; Loddon Reach Benefice, Reading; St Nicholas, Earley, Reading; St Michael, Tilehurst; St Paul’s, Wokingham; Woodley, Berkshire; and members from around the diocese.
The display can be visited at St Paul’s Church, on Reading Road, Wokingham.
For more information about the Mothers’ Union, visit: www.mothersunion.org
Anyone in need of help or advice, or who is concerned about someone they think may be a victim of modern slavery, can call the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on: 0800 0121 700.
