Safe and Sound Group

28/08/2026

When a child or young person is affected by exploitation, the impact can be felt across the whole family.

During 2025-26, our dedicated Family Support team supported 58 family cases, providing guidance, reassurance and a listening ear to parents and carers as they navigated incredibly difficult circumstances.

Supporting families is an important part of what we do at Safe and Sound. By helping parents and carers better understand what is happening, access the right support and feel less alone, we can help create a stronger network around the young person too.

Behind every number is a family with their own story, challenges and journey, and we’re proud to be there when they need us! 💙

You can discover more about our work and impact in our 2025-26 Annual Report: https://safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/our-impact/

27/08/2026

Have you discovered our Osmaston Community Hub? 🤔

Our Osmaston Community Hub at Cotton Lane is a welcoming space for children, young people, families and the wider local community.

From youth activities and community sessions to family support and opportunities to meet, connect and get involved, there’s always something happening at the hub.

We’re continuing to develop what we offer and would love more local people to discover what’s available right on their doorstep.

📍 Osmaston Community Hub, Cotton Lane

Want to know what’s happening at the moment, find out about upcoming activities or see how you can get involved?

Get in touch with the Safe and Sound team and we’ll be happy to tell you more: 📩 [email protected]

27/08/2026

With children and young people heading back to school next week, now can be a good time to check in and reflect on anything that may have changed over the summer holidays.

Perhaps they have a new friendship group. They’ve become more secretive about their phone. They have unexplained money or gifts. Their mood or behaviour has changed, or they’ve started spending time with new or older people.

One of these signs on its own doesn’t necessarily mean a young person is being exploited. There can be many reasons for changes in behaviour, particularly during adolescence.

But you know your child.

As routines begin to return, stay curious. Ask about their summer, who they’ve been spending time with and what they’ve been doing online. Most importantly, listen without judgement and make sure they know they can talk to you.

Child exploitation can affect any young person, and noticing changes and keeping conversations open can help ensure they get the right support if they need it.

If you’re concerned about a child or young person and would like advice, Safe and Sound is here to help:
📩 [email protected]

26/08/2026

Stay Connected with Safe & Sound 📩

Want to be the first to hear about our latest projects, youth activities, fundraising events, and ways you can get involved?

Our monthly newsletter is the easiest way to keep up to date with everything happening at Safe & Sound, straight to your inbox.

👉 Sign up today and join our community of supporters: https://safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/

25/08/2026

Recent warnings about the risks children and young people can face online are an important reminder that safeguarding doesn’t stop when they pick up their phone, tablet or games console: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16074383/children-not-safe-internet-warning-Britains-FBI-child-abuse.html

At Safe and Sound, we encourage parents and carers to make online safety part of everyday conversation.

Ask your child who they’re talking to. Take an interest in the games they’re playing, the apps they’re using and what they’re doing online. Create an environment where they know they can tell you if something doesn’t feel right, without worrying that they’ll immediately be blamed or have their device taken away.

These don’t need to be big, serious conversations. Regular, open and curious chats can help you understand your child’s online world and make it easier for them to ask for help when they need it.

The online world is a huge part of young people’s lives. Keeping them safer within it starts with talking, listening and staying involved. 💙

Graeme Biggar issued a stark message to parents amid rocketing reports of child abuse on social media and gaming platforms.

23/08/2026

This October, the brilliant Sophie Hargreaves will be taking on the incredible challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and she has chosen to use the experience to raise vital funds for Safe and Sound! 👏

Sophie has fully funded the trip herself, which means every penny she raises will come directly to Safe and Sound to help us support children and young people affected by exploitation across Derby and Derbyshire.

Having seen first-hand the devastating impact exploitation can have, Sophie wanted to use her challenge to make a difference.

She said: “We tend to think ‘it won’t happen to my family’, but sadly it’s a very real reality for a lot of people.”

Any young person can be at risk of exploitation. Through specialist one-to-one support, we work alongside children and young people to help them understand risk, rebuild confidence and move towards a safer future.

Sophie, we’re incredibly grateful that you’ve chosen to support Safe and Sound. We’ll all be cheering you on as you take on Kilimanjaro! 💙

If you’d like to support Sophie and help her fundraising total climb as high as she will, you can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sophie-hargreaves-5

22/08/2026

During 2025-26, Safe and Sound supported 320 children and young people through direct specialist casework across Derby and Derbyshire.

That’s 320 individual young people who had someone there to listen, provide specialist support and help them navigate the challenges and risks they were facing.

Our work supports young people affected by issues including child sexual and criminal exploitation, grooming, county lines, online harm, unsafe relationships and wider safeguarding concerns.

Behind every statistic is a young person, a family and a journey. We’re incredibly proud of our team and grateful to everyone whose support helps make this work possible.

➡️ Discover more about our impact in our 2025-26 Annual Report: https://safeandsoundgroup.org.uk/our-impact/

21/08/2026

Our EPEC Group Leader training starts next month!

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, now is the perfect time to find out more.

We’re looking for caring, enthusiastic people who want to support local parents, build confidence and make a real difference in their community.

Through FREE training and ongoing support, you’ll gain the skills to lead practical, welcoming groups for parents and families.

📅 Information session: Wednesday 16th September
📅 10-week course starts: Wednesday 23rd September

Interested?
📩 [email protected]
📲 07736972629

There’s still time to get involved, so please get in touch and join us next month.

20/08/2026

Taking vital conversations directly to young people!

Safe and Sound recently joined forces with StreetDoctors, the Reduction of Violence Unit and Ozzy Wheels for a special session focused on trauma, first aid and the realities of carrying weapons.

Taking place during an Ozzy Wheels ride-out, around 20 young people got involved in an open and engaging conversation with Dr Mat, learning important first aid skills and challenging dangerous myths around knife injuries, including the misconception that there are "safe" areas of the body to be stabbed.

Most importantly, the session gave young people a safe environment to ask questions and have honest conversations with someone working on the frontline of emergency medicine.

There were plenty of questions for Dr Mat, including the inevitable: "What's the weirdest thing you've ever seen in A&E?"

This is what partnership working can achieve. By taking education out into the community and meeting young people where they are, we can start conversations, increase awareness and help them make safer choices.

A huge thank you to everyone involved and to the young people who engaged so brilliantly with the session. 💙

20/08/2026

A HUGE congratulations to Paul, who raised an incredible £1,380 for Safe and Sound! 🚴

Paul took on this year’s HUUB Sportive on a trike, completing the longest distance he has cycled since losing his leg following a motorcycle accident three years ago.

It was also his first sportive since the accident - making crossing that finish line an even more special achievement.

Paul chose to raise money for Safe and Sound because his wife volunteers with us, and he wanted to do his part to support a local charity and the children, young people and families we work with.

Not only did he complete the challenge, his fantastic fundraising total of £1,380 will make a real difference to our work across Derby and Derbyshire.

Paul, from everyone at Safe and Sound, thank you and congratulations! 👏💙

As for next year? He’s already told us he’ll be back to take on the 100K!