Safeguarding charity’s new chief marks first month in role

The new chief executive of Safe and Sound has marked her first month in the role by getting out across Derby, meeting partners, spending time with staff and immersing herself in the communities the charity supports.

Carly Jones has already been getting involved in some of the key conversations affecting children, young people and families across Derby.

She has also spent time at Safe and Sound’s hubs at Melbourne House in the city centre and Cotton Lane in Osmaston.

Most importantly, however, Carly says her first few weeks have been about getting to know the people behind Safe and Sound.

She said: “One of my priorities when I arrived was to listen. I wanted to spend time with our staff, understand the work they are doing and hear from the partners and communities we work alongside.

“What has really struck me is the passion and commitment of the Safe and Sound team.

“Again and again, I have heard people talk about how much they care about the young people and families we support and about making a genuine difference to their lives.

“One of my favourite things I have heard since joining is that Safe and Sound should be ‘the most inclusive space in the city’. I absolutely love that ambition.

“I want children, young people and families to know that this is somewhere they will be welcomed, listened to and supported.”

Carly brings extensive voluntary sector leadership experience to Safe and Sound.

Before joining the Derby charity, she was chief executive of Together Active, where she worked to tackle inequalities across Staffordshire and Stoke.

Prior to that, she was chief executive of SIFA Fireside, supporting homeless and vulnerably housed adults in Birmingham.

Her career has spanned organisations ranging from grassroots community services to international development charities, with tackling inequality and creating systemic change a recurring theme throughout her work.

Carly said: “There is a huge amount for me still to learn, and that is exactly how it should be.

“Safe and Sound has built strong relationships across Derby and Derbyshire and has an incredibly committed team.

“My job isn’t to arrive with all the answers. It is to listen to our young people, families, staff, communities and partners and work with them to build on those strong foundations.

“There is some fantastic work already happening and I am excited about what we can achieve together.”