Derby charity to create safe haven with new city centre location
Derbyshire’s Safe and Sound charity is moving forward with plans to create a safe haven in Derby city centre for young people and families.
The organisation has secured 8 Bold Lane, a former restaurant in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, expanding its capacity to provide support services.
The charity, which supports children affected by exploitation, plans to continue fundraising for equipment and specialised facilities.
Its services include one-on-one and group support, outreach, practical assistance for families, positive activities, support through legal processes, and long-term help for education and employment.
It also provides specialised support for children with special educational needs and those from new communities.
With £250,000 in funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Safe & Sound is preparing to renovate the three-story building.
The ground floor will host community activities, with space for organisations like the YMCA and Derby County Community Trust, while upstairs, there’ll be rooms for counselling, meetings, and office space.
Fundraising for equipment and specialised facilities happens through its Butterfly Appeal initiative.
Initial contributions have already been secured, including office equipment donated by Geldards solicitors and a £4,299 grant from Toyota Manufacturing UK for youth activity equipment at the centre.
In the past year, Safe and Sound provided assistance to 343 children and young individuals who were either victims of or vulnerable to child exploitation.
While the charity primarily focuses on supporting 7-18-year-olds, it extends its services to individuals up to the age of 25 if they have special educational needs, disabilities, or are transitioning from care.
CEO Tracy Harrison said: “Referrals for our services have doubled since the pandemic – reflecting the reality that any child, anywhere – regardless of their age, sex or family background – is at risk of child exploitation. However, we have been constricted by having to rent premises not only for our team but to provide an expanding programme of activities, support and therapies which are so vital to help young people and their families affected by exploitation to move forward with their lives.
“The Bold Lane premises will be an amazing community asset that will increase our impact by providing a centrally located safe and welcoming space for children and young people who are at risk of exploitation as well as their families.
“Our youth participation and parents as peer groups will continue to be heavily involved in the project plan – advising us on the facilities they want and we will continue to consult with our Youth Alliance partners throughout the process to ensure that this facility will benefit everyone.”
