Safe and Sound’s new CEO Carly Jones 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. And it has been a busy first month.
From attending the Harm Reduction Meeting, Serious Violence Board and City Safety Summit to supporting work around the Families First Partnership, Carly 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, met with partner organisations and, she admits, started the ongoing challenge of learning Derby.
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.
“I have also been trying to familiarise myself with Derby and the names of all its different places! Getting out and meeting people has been a huge part of my first month and I’m gradually learning where all the best places for coffee are along the way.”
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-on-Trent. 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 has also spoken at national conferences on modern slavery, homelessness and rough sleeping, government policy and the role businesses can play in creating sustainable employment opportunities for people who have experienced homelessness.
She has served on boards covering domestic abuse, SEND and specialist dog rescue and currently chairs Gilgal Birmingham, a specialist domestic abuse charity.
Originally from Birmingham and now living in Staffordshire, Carly says ensuring the voices and experiences of people and communities influence the decisions that affect them will be central to her approach at Safe and Sound.
“There is a huge amount for me still to learn, and that is exactly how it should be,” Carly continued.
“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.”
As she moves into her second month, there will be little opportunity for Carly to slow down.
Her diary includes joining a graffiti session at Safe and Sound’s Osmaston Community Hub, attending the Prevent Advisory Group, progressing the charity’s work around Family Group Conferencing, meeting more partners and getting involved in future fundraising plans.