SAFE@LAST gives refuge to 19 youngsters

A CHILDREN’S charity which manages the only emergency refuge for young people in England provided a safe place for 19 young people in the last year.

Dinnington-based SAFE@LAST, which recently held its AGM, provided 68 nights of safe accommodation to young runaways in the last 12 months at their children’s refuge.

In March, a refuge in London—the only other provision for young runaways in England—was forced to close its doors because of funding leaving SAFE@LAST as the only charity to offer the specialist short-term service for 16-year-olds and under.

And it has been a busy but productive year for the charity which started with a trip to Buckingham Palace for founder Hilary Massarella who was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

Dan Dean, chairman of trustees said: “As we complete another busy year for SAFE@LAST, I was delighted that during the year Hilary received the formal recognition that she long deserved with the award of an MBE.

“This award, combined with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, truly recognises the positive effect that the work of everyone involved with the charity is having on the most vulnerable young people in South Yorkshire.

“In conclusion, it has been another busy, hardworking, successful and rewarding year for everyone concerned with SAFE@LAST.”

Over the last year, the charity has continued to be at the fore front of campaigning for support for young runaways and hosted a national conference in May.

The team has extended its preventative work into Sheffield and saw an increase in the number of volunteers helping the charity from previous years. The work of volunteers over the last 12 months has amounted to the equivalent of around £140,000 in paid work for SAFE@LAST.

This year, in total across South Yorkshire, SAL received 1,791 referrals from a range of agencies for children aged between ten and 17.

Of those referrals to the Missing Person’s Scheme (Misper) 17 per cent were from Rotherham—a figure which has dropped from 37 per cent. The charity believes that this is largely down to the preventative work being done in schools.

A sister company called WEEKEND@LAST was set up to run events which donates 100 per cent of its profits from fund-raisers to SAFE@LAST.

Key events which generate sponsorship continue to be run by SAFE@LAST including the Big Sleepout which raised £21,500 this year.

All fund-raising events were profitable but the recession has encouraged the team to focus on value for money, reducing the profit margin in some cases.

The charity saw a drop in income by 21 per cent, to £97,130 a figure which is expected to change once the fund-raising figures come from WEEKEND@LAST at the end of December.

The amount of grants increased from 57 per cent to 78 per cent of the charity’s total income, with 14 per cent of income generated by sponsorship and eight by fund-raising.

Many of the charity’s grants are due to end in March next year and a spokesman said that the charity was working hard to secure new funding to support vital services.

Total expenditure over the year has been reduced by £53,456 but charitable activity costs increased by ten per cent, core costs increased by two per cent and fund-raising costs decreased by 12 per cent.

The aims for next year include increasing SAFE@LAST’S presence in Doncaster and Barnsley as well as sourcing sponsorship for the charity’s helpline.

Hilary Massarella said: “The last ten years have been a period of huge growth for SAFE@LAST.

“From humble beginnings we are now widely recognised as a leading organisation in the provision and development of quality services for young runaways.

“Ten years ago the driving force was to ensure the safety of our children and it is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our staff and volunteers that this desire continues to be at the heart of everything that we do.”