Safe and Sound initiative supported by Rotary Club

Members of the Rotary Club of Derby Mercia have donated £1,000 so that more young people and families supported by local charity Safe and Sound can receive special recognition and validation of their recovery journey.

Safe and Sound, which carries out some of its work in the Erewash borough, have worked with a Derby-based personalised gift company to create a bespoke ‘Hope Box’ for local young people and families who they work with. Each Hope Box, which cost £20, is filled with calming activities, treats and positivity messages. 

Safe and Sound supports children and young people across Derbyshire who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation including online grooming, sexual exploitation, County Lines, trafficking, Modern Slavery and radicalisation.  The team also supports families and raises public awareness across local communities about the dangers facing young people and the support available.

CEO Tracy Harrison said: “We are working with more young people and families than ever before with 1:1 and group support, positive activities, help to return to education or into work and practical support to help them move forward with their lives in a positive way.

“The Hope Boxes carry an important message to our young people and their families that they are not alone and are something that they can keep referring to and take comfort from in dark times.

“We have an ongoing appeal for businesses, individuals and organisations to effectively sponsor a young person or family member whose lives have been affected by child exploitation and I am blown away by the generosity of the members of Rotary Club of Derby Mercia.”

Rotary Club of Derby Mercia Chair for Community Activities Neil Armstrong added: “We know that the Hope Boxes are treasured by the young people and family members who receive them and were keen to support this important campaign.

“We hope the recipients they will gain further strength and self-esteem from the Hope Box as they move forward positively with their lives thanks to the support from Safe and Sound.”

For more information about the work of Safe and Sound and how to support them – including sponsoring a Hope Box - please visit www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk.

Picture shows, Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison with the cheque and some Hope boxes.