Breaking The Chains

About Us - Our Aims & Objectives

Breaking the Chains (BTC) is a major national initiative that throughout 2007 focuses on commemorating the bi-centenary of the abolition of the slave trade on 25th March 1807. In the West Midlands the BTC Network consists of community and voluntary sector groups, public and statutory sector bodies and representatives from the commercial sector who have come together to contribute to and support this national programme at a regional level.

Over the course of 2007 BTC will be supporting and working in partnership with network members. Together we will highlight and address the inequalities that exist as a result of slavery and promote community events. The BTC Network feels it is important to raise the awareness of slavery in all its forms and highlighting those contemporary forms of slavery that still exist in the 21st Century.

Currently, there are forty members of the network including the BBC, Arts Council England, West Midlands Police, the Probation Service, Advantage West Midlands, Regional Councils and a number of organisations representing the arts, culture and the community sector (list of supporters). Breaking the Chains is excited by what promises to be a thought provoking series of events, exhibitions, seminars and other activities to mark the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.

The BTC Network has three sub-groups in Education, Funding, and Marketing.  The Education Group is focussing on resources particularly aimed at schools.  The Funding Group provides support and advice to BTC members seeking funding for commemorative projects.  The BTC Network and Marketing Sub-group with Blue Tycoon Ltd. will be supporting the region’s community and voluntary sector groups, and public sector bodies by:

• Creating generic high-level marketing and promotional material.
• Developing additional opportunities for voluntary and community groups.
• Supporting planned events and projects through online listings, features and articles free of charge.
• Exploring the creation of a regional brochure to increase awareness of traditional and contemporary slavery; and
• To highlight and add value to commemorative events taking place throughout 2007.

We are currently working with partners as well as national and regional funding agencies to access funds to deliver this important programme of work. The network is continuously looking to raise further funds to support the programme of work through sponsorship and advertising. There are a number options available to organisations both in the private and public sector to show their support for the work BTC Network is conducting.
 
If your organisation wishes to promote events or is interested in joining other public, voluntary and statutory groups to mark the bi-centenary and make a stand against contemporary slavery, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
 
 
Kindest Regards,
 
Dr. Joe Aldred.

Dr. Joe Aldred
Chair of Breaking the Chains.