Charity among select few to be awarded Jubilee grant

Specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound has been chosen as one of a select few in the UK to be awarded a special grant to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

It is one of just 23 charities and organisations nationwide to be awarded cash by The Leathersellers’ Company Charitable Fund.

The charity has been given £7,000 to help fund an expanding aspect of its work with vulnerable young people and adults whose learning difficulties and additional needs make them at particular risk of exploitation, including online grooming, sexual exploitation, County Lines, trafficking, modern slavery and radicalisation.

Tracy Harrison is chief executive of Safe and Sound, which this year is celebrating its 20th anniversary, said: “Sadly, we know a young person or adult with special educational needs is three or four times more likely to be exploited.

“This risk has been heightened by the pandemic with the increased use of social media and online gaming channels by children and young adults – particularly those with additional learning needs and health issues – as it was often their only link to the outside world.

“Their anxiety and feelings of isolation made them extremely vulnerable to predators and we are still receiving referrals to support young people and vulnerable adults who have been groomed online – often over a sustained period.

“Providing one-to-one and group support for them and their families, therefore, continues to be our primary focus.

“We are therefore very grateful for this grant and the continued support of The Leathersellers’ Company to enable us to do more.”