Rotherham Children and Young People’s Voluntary Sector Consortium, which comprises of local organizations Al-Muneera, Chantry YMCA, GROW, Rotherham’s Young Peoples Services, Rotherhams Women’s Refuge, SAFE@LAST, United Multicultural Centre and Yorkshire Trust has been awarded almost £300,000 in funding to be distributed over three years by v, the youth volunteering charity, to get young people positively involved in their communities.

The project will get around 500 young people aged 16-25 involved in activities from Marketing to Gardening to benefit the community.  Rotherham Children and Young People’s Voluntary Sector Consortium is one of 152 projects across the country who will be funded by v as part of vinvolved, a new national youth volunteering programme backed by £75 million funding, which aims to inspire half a million more young people to volunteer in England.

Hilary Massarella, Chief Executive of SAFE@LAST, which is the lead organisation managing the grant says: “We are very excited to be part of the vinvolved programme. The funding will enable us to provide a wide range of volunteering opportunities for young people.  We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the other organisations in Rotherham and think this project will be a huge benefit to the local community and all concerned.  We are a very unique and strong group because of the diversity of our members, every member has different strengths and expertise and by pooling them together we are able to offer a range of opportunities to young people - there will be something to suit everyone.”

vinvolved has been designed by and for young people to make volunteering a compelling choice for all 16-25 year olds in England by tapping into their passions and concerns. The charity aims to change the image of volunteering and make it a ‘must-have’ part of young people’s lives.

Issue of Young Runaways Brought to MP’S attention

As part of the English Coalition for Runaway Children, Tracy Haycox Runaway Services Director for SAFE@LAST was present at Parliamentary hearings in Westminster on Wednesday 17th October.   The Coalition was given a rare opportunity to present plans for a national policy for support for young people under 16 that run away from home. 

Activity commenced with a Pledge Day followed by two days of Parliamentary hearings bringing together representatives from the police, local authorities, the voluntary sector and MPs.   MP’s were asked to show their support by signing a giant trainer (to symbolize running away).  The Trainer will then be presented to Ministers later this month (October).

Led by Helen Southworth, MP for Warrington South and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Runaway and Missing Children, a panel of MP’s including MP for Rother Valley Kevin Barron, heard evidence from a range of specialists to identify the problems and dangers facing children in the UK who run away or go missing.  The Panel will then make recommendations to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

Tracy answered specific questions on behalf of SAFE@LAST regarding the costs of setting up and running a refuge for young people as SAFE@LAST opened the only such refuge in England outside of London in South Yorkshire in April 2007.  Other questions directed at Tracy regarded the impact of running away on Young People and also what the triggers to running away are.

Tracy said “I thoroughly enjoyed the day and believe this is an important step in the establishment of a national policy for young runaways which is essential in securing Young People’s safety.  All the MP’s seemed very keen and interested to know more.  They themselves identified that the issues of running away only seem to be addressed when someone in the community takes notice and highlights the issues like SAFE@LAST’s founder, Hilary Massarella did for South Yorkshire.”

After being forced to move from our offices on Lodge Lane as a result of vandalism and the heavy rain this summer staff, volunteers and trustees were present to greet members of the public and fellow professionals when they came to see our new premises.  The open day was held on October 4th allowing interested people to see the new premises and find out more information about SAFE@LAST and the services we offer to young people 16 and under who are at risk through running away.  The visitors included Councillor Shaun Wright Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services for RMBC who dropped in to show his support and the Missing From Home Officers from the Doncaster division of South Yorkshire Police.

The first Refuge Steering group meeting was also held at the new premises on October 4th.  The Steering group consists of representatives from SAFE@LAST and their partner organisations including Railway Children, South Yorkshire Police, NSPCC, local GP’s, Local Authorities and others.    SAFE@LAST’s refuge was opened in April 2007 is the only one of its kind in England outside of London.

The open day also marked the launch of the ‘Text to Give Appeal’ a new way for supporters to make donations to SAFE@LAST using their mobile phone.  Supporters can now text SAM to 84424 and £3 will be added to their phone bill and donated to the charity.  Community Fundraiser and Events Manager Mark Lees said ‘we are very excited to be able to offer this new method of giving.  Its quick and easy and only costs three pounds but that three pounds can make such a difference to young people who continue to need our services.”

On 27th September SAFE@LAST hosted the meeting of the English Coalition for Runaways in the centre of Sheffield. The Coalition includes representatives from many leading children’s charities who together have been working closely with the Department for Children, Schools and Families to ensure that all runaways receive help and protection through improved services.

On Monday 15 October 2007, in partnership with Helen Southworth MP, the Coalition will be hosting a Pledge Day for Young Runaways at the House of Commons. The aim is to ensure that as many MPs as possible attend Pledge Day, to demonstrate their support for runaways by signing the giant replica running shoe - a symbolic representation of the 100,000 children and young people who run away every year. Former runaways who have worked with The Children's Society will deliver the running shoe to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, to show him why he must support the Coalition’s recommendations.  Following this there will be hearing days on the 16th and 17th October which all MP’s have been invited to attend allowing them listen to and direct questions at runaway service providers. 

Hilary Massarella, Chief Executive and Founder Trustee of SAFE@LAST, said ”SAFE@Last is unique in that it provides a full range of services for young people who have run away or been thrown out of home. We are encouraged by the response from MPs in our region who have committed to the principals behind the hearing which will take place on the day after the Pledge Day, Kevin Barron MP will be there, ensuring that South Yorkshire continues to play a part in developing National Policy for Young Runaways.”

SAFE@Last Runaway Services Director, Tracy Haycox will attend the hearing along with representatives from Railway Children and Talk don’t Walk to answer MPs questions regarding the current lack of provision for young people who run away. Tracy said “We are delighted to have this opportunity to be instrumental in improving the chances of a brighter future for young people who so desperately need it and truly deserve it.”

© SAFE@LAST 2007