Derbyshire’s specialist child exploitation charity, Safe and Sound, is forging ahead with plans to create a new safe space in Derby city centre. This dedicated location will offer young people and families a place to engage with an expanded range of support services and activities to help them rebuild their lives.
Acquisition of New Premises
Safe and Sound has secured the purchase of 8 Bold Lane, a former restaurant in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter. This strategic acquisition will enable the charity’s specialist team to support more young people and families, while also providing a broader range of services. The charity also plans to make space available for other charities and organisations to deliver their services, expanding its impact on the community.
Funding and Renovation Plans
The funding for this project was secured with a £250,000 grant from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities’ Community Ownership Fund. Restoration and refurbishment work will soon begin, taking approximately six months to complete. The three-story building will be transformed into a vibrant community hub, with the ground floor serving as a multi-functional space for various activities and services.
Professional Involvement
Safe and Sound’s chair, Mark Richardson, who is also a partner at BB&J Commercial, played a significant role in the acquisition. “I was delighted to use my professional experience to act for them in the acquisition of these new premises,” he said. “The purchase of 8 Bold Lane is a milestone moment for Safe and Sound, the wider voluntary sector, and for the vibrancy of the city centre.”
Supporting a Growing Need
The charity is known for its work with children and young people whose lives have been affected by child exploitation, including online grooming, sexual exploitation, County Lines, trafficking, modern slavery, and radicalisation. Last year, Safe and Sound supported a record 343 children and young people. With the new premises, the charity will be able to expand its support services and activities to meet the growing demand.
Tracy Harrison, CEO of Safe and Sound, explained, “Referrals for our services have doubled since the pandemic, reflecting the reality that any child, anywhere, is at risk of child exploitation. The new premises will increase our capacity to offer the vital support needed to help young people and their families affected by exploitation.”
Next Steps and Fundraising
The refurbishment work is expected to be completed in early 2025, with fundraising efforts continuing under the charity’s Butterfly Appeal to ensure the new facility is fully equipped to meet the community’s needs. The community hub will feature a range of support services, including one-on-one and group sessions, practical family support, and specialist assistance for young people with special educational needs.
Conclusion
The new premises at 8 Bold Lane will provide a safe, welcoming space for all who need support, contributing to the revitalisation of Derby’s city centre. To learn more about Safe and Sound’s work or to contribute to the Butterfly Appeal, visit their website or contact the charity directly.
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