The Duncan & Toplis Foundation supports charities and community organisations that help protect and improve the lives of vulnerable people across the communities it serves. Among the latest recipients is Safe and Sound Group, a Derbyshire-based charity dedicated to supporting children, young people and families affected by child exploitation.
A grant from the Foundation will support the charity’s work with children and young people who have experienced exploitation, helping to fund activities designed to support recovery and rebuild confidence. The funding will contribute towards therapeutic activities such as crafts and cooking sessions, providing safe and positive opportunities for young people to heal and move forward.
The Safe and Sound Group works to prevent child exploitation, raise awareness of the risks, provide specialist support, and help young people recover from their experiences. The charity supports children and families to understand what has happened to them, stay safe and build resilience for the future.
Demand for the charity’s services continues to grow. Last year alone, the organisation supported 352 young people affected by exploitation. The impact of its work is reflected in the outcomes achieved, with all young people showing improvement in at least one area of safety, wellbeing or resilience. The charity also reported that 98% of exploitation-related risk areas either improved or were maintained, helping young people develop a greater awareness of grooming, unsafe relationships and online risks.
Through tailored support and recovery programmes, Safe and Sound helps young people better understand healthy relationships, consent, personal boundaries and safer decision-making. Its work also supports young people to identify unsafe influences and reduce risks associated with harmful peer groups or adults, helping them build safer and more positive futures.
Tracy Harrison, CEO of Safe and Sound Group, said: “We are so grateful for the support from Duncan & Toplis. Their donation will help us support more children who have been exploited in Derby and Derbyshire.
“This funding will help us meet our growing demand and provide activities that support young people on their recovery journey, helping them to rebuild confidence, resilience and wellbeing.”
If you would like to support the continued work of The Duncan & Toplis Foundation, you can donate here. Alternatively, if you’re looking for funding for a local community initiative, find out more about our grant criteria and how to apply here.
