The partnership will:
- Deliver The Children’s Society’s Act on Exploitation programme to all Chicken Cottage head office staff and franchisees, equipping them to spot and report signs of child exploitation
- Enable Chicken Cottage locations to be ‘safe spaces’ where teenagers can eat, socialise and relax
- Launch nationwide fundraising opportunities in stores and on the Chicken Cottage app to support the vital services that The Children’s Society provides
Unsurprisingly, the collaboration will extend to cities where both organisations have deep roots, such as Greater London, Greater Manchester, Newcastle, Bradford, and Leeds; and with Chicken Cottage planning to add at least 20 new shops to its portfolio this year, and open 100 stores by 2027, there will be even more opportunities to reach young people, families, and customers with important information about preventing child exploitation.
It will also intensify the existing battle against child exploitation, building on the proven awareness raising campaign #LookCloser, as well as rolling-out prevention initiatives in the hotel industry, for example, where staff will be trained to spot signs of trafficking and abuse.
The initiative comes against the disturbing backdrop of the Children’s Society own research showing that fewer than half of the country’s secondary school children feel safe in their own neighbourhoods after dark.
It is often the case that criminals approach children and young people online through gaming and social media platforms, and in places like shops, restaurants, and cashpoints. The perpetrators may offer young people the chance to make money quickly or provide fake job opportunities, working to build a relationship with the young person. They then force the child to carry out sexual or criminal activities, like selling drugs or holding onto stolen money.
Exploitation can happen anywhere, to any child – including at quick service food restaurants. But by learning to spot the signs and taking action, such exploitation can be stopped in its tracks.
As Mark Russell, CEO at The Children’s Society put it: “Right now, thousands of children across the UK are at risk of exploitation and they need our help, which is why this partnership isn’t just about training for staff – it’s also about communities working together and stepping in. Chicken Cottage’s reach gives us the opportunity to alert thousands more people to the importance of keeping teenagers safe from exploitation.”
Meanwhile, speaking about their first ever national charity partnership, Azam Hanipah, Finance Director at Chicken Cottage, said: “As a company with deep roots in our communities, we believe in giving back. Partnering with The Children’s Society allows us to support vulnerable young people and drive positive change where it’s needed most.
“We look forward to working together to raise awareness and make a meaningful impact – both through our business and by engaging our customers and franchisees in this important cause.
“Through this partnership, we aim to create lasting change and inspire action.”
For more information visit the Children’s Society here.
