OUR AMBASSADORS
Highlight the charity’s work amongst their own networks. By raising the profile of Safe & Sound and encouraging open discussion about the difficult topic of child exploitation, they help us to raise awareness and encourage support for our vital work.
Louise – YOUNG AMBASSADOR
Supported by Safe and Sound after being targeted by online groomers. The teenager has already shared her story in the hope of encouraging other young people to improve their privacy settings online and her future input will include raising awareness of Exploitation and the charity in local communities.
Molly Windsor – Actress
Safe and Sound’s work is really close to my heart. In 2018 I was in the BBC drama ‘Three Girls’ which was based on the true stories of grooming and sexual abuse in Rochdale between 2008 and 2012. This was around the same time as Operation Retriever in Derby and Safe and Sound was instrumental in supporting all of the children who were harmed by the men who ended up being jailed for a total of 22 years for 70 offences. I hope you will join me in supporting their new Butterfly Appeal and help children to build stronger wings.
Claire Morrison – Ambassador
Claire Morrison first starting supporting Safe and Sound raise its social media presence whilst previously working for digital marketing agency Creationz Marketing. Claire is now a Social Media Specialist at Boots Opticians and volunteers her time as an Ambassador for Safe and Sound to support the organisation with their marketing strategy, design work and raising awareness in the city.
Claire also supports with fundraising and has previously taken part in the Derby 10k and raised over £600 to support children and young people affected by exploitation.Claire Morrison first starting supporting Safe and Sound raise its social media presence whilst previously working for digital marketing agency Creationz. Claire is now a Social Media Specialist at Boots Opticians and volunteers her time as an Ambassador for Safe and Sound to support the organisation with their marketing strategy, design work and raising awareness in the city.
Persha Ward – Ambassador
Mother-of-two Persha Ward runs her own business administration business and management company and was supported by Safe and Sound as a teenager. Prior to Persha’s ambassador role, she has supported Safe and Sound with administrative work and by volunteering her time to support young people as part of our Outreach programme.
Persha said: “I have been determined that my experiences as a teenager would not define my whole life. When I was 13 I didn’t think I was worth anything and certainly would not have thought that I could have gone onto have two wonderful children and my own business.
“My message to young people – whatever their experiences – is therefore to listen to the people who can help – which in my case was Safe and Sound.
“It is important to remember that, however dreadful things feel today, it is not the end of the world and that there is always the chance to build a good life.”
Nadia Jane Asamoah – Ambassador
Entrepreneur Nadia Jane Asamoah quite literally jumped at the chance to become an Ambassador for Safe and Sound as her own business and the charity share the same child- focused ethos. Nadia runs Nadia Jane Performing Arts in Green Lane, Derby, where hundreds of young people – boys and girls – have trained over the years in a wide range of dance and performing arts disciplines. But the academy is more than a dance school – it is a second home and much-needed safe space for many of the young people who regard Nadia, her team and fellow pupils as family.
“I have really valued getting involved with Safe and Sound over recent times including being part of the Safe Derby project which focused on raising awareness about violence against women and girls in public places. “Now, as an official Ambassador for Safe and Sound, I aim to raise awareness of the dangers of grooming and child exploitation to all the families and young people that we come into contact with. “It is also good to have access to an established network of professionals who can offer additional support to young people that we come in contact with if needed. “I hope that some of the children and young people who Safe and Sound support will also be able to join our youth groups and classes.
“Dance and performing arts are fantastic ways to boost self confidence, self esteem and communication skills. This not only reduces vulnerability to grooming and exploitation but are also transferable skills to improve job prospects in the future. “By working alongside an amazing charity like Safe and Sound, I hope that we can help many more children and young people in the coming years to ensure they are safe, happy and fulfilled as they move into adulthood.”
Bev Crighton MSc SHRM FCIPD AFHEA
Senior university lecturer Bev Crighton has been involved with Safe and Sound for many years ever since her suspicions were aroused about the safety and wellbeing of a young student. Bev had recently joined the University of Derby Business School and became concerned about one of her tutees.
My senses were heightened as I witnessed exploitation and abuse of my peers whilst at boarding school as a teenager and know how hard it is to pluck up the courage to talk about what is going on.“My student was making passing comment about what she did at the weekends and I knew I had to
help her to open up so I looked into local charities and organisations to see if there was anyone I could talk to for advice. I saw that Safe and Sound had an information evening and I suggested that we both go together on the pretence of finding out about volunteering opportunities. Learning more about exploitation and what help was available encouraged the student to gradually open up and it turned out that it was actually her little sister who had been groomed and abused.
Safe and Sound were a huge support and I have remained close to the charity ever since. As well as lecturing in Business Management at the University of Derby, Bev is currently employability lead in the education department at Derby County in the Community Trust (DCCT) as well as deputy chair of Erewash Partnership and an active member of the DCFC women’s board. I have been involved in a wide range of charities and organisations over the years with a strong focus on young people and families in need and I am delighted to now be in a formal ambassadorial role with Safe and Sound. I am in a privileged position in life with jobs that I love and a strong network so I try to utilise this to support causes that I am passionate about.
Dean Jackson – Ambassador
Dean Jackson MBE is the founder and driving force behind HUUB Design, the award-winning British triathlon and open-water swimming brand renowned for its innovation in wetsuit and performance apparel technology. An Alvaston and Mackworth boy who proudly attended Wyndham Street and Noel-Baker School, Dean is a Derby passionista through and through.
With a background in sports marketing and a lifelong love of endurance sport, he built HUUB from his Derby base into a global name trusted by Olympic champions and world-class athletes.
His commitment to combining science, performance, and creativity has not only redefined the athlete experience but also earned him an MBE for services to business, innovation, and sport.
Vic Handley: Ambassador
Vic Handley brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted commitment to community well-being to his role as an ambassador. His professional career as the Deputy Group Managing Director and part-owner of VAN ELLE gave him a diverse skill set in leadership and community relations. Now retired, he dedicates his time and passion to making a positive impact, embodying the spirit of service that is so vital to Safe and Sound’s mission.
Beyond his professional life, Vic is a true family man and local hero. He is a devoted husband, father of three, and proud grandfather of five. His dedication also shines through his impressive sporting achievements, including earning five England caps for walking football. This personal drive and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly inspire the communities that Safe and Sound serves, showing that a passion for a cause can lead to incredible results.
As an ambassador, Vic will champion the charity’s mission by raising awareness about child exploitation and supporting fundraising efforts. His deep understanding of the local community, combined with his desire to help young people, will be invaluable. As Vic himself said, “I am incredibly honoured and proud to become an Ambassador for Safe and Sound. Their work in protecting vulnerable children and empowering families is absolutely crucial.” With his support, Safe and Sound will continue to build strong community links and ensure more children and their families receive the support they need.
Julia Hodder – Ambassador
My working life has given me the opportunity to spend many years working in major UK cities but the ten years I spent teaching in London created a desire to do what I could to support young people who found themselves being drawn into radicalisation and exploitation. Seeing first hand how lives can be changed had a major impact and gave me an understanding of how great the support need is.
I have been involved with Safe and Sound for many years, initially through my role working in the charity sector and, more recently as a volunteer. Seeing first-hand the work that Safe and Sound do has increased my understanding of the impact of their work on young people and the major role they have in the communities they serve. As a volunteer I have been involved in many aspects of Safe and Sound work including delivering in schools, helping with administration and hand therapy for groups supported by the charity. As an Ambassador I hope to carry the message further and wider so that all young people within our communities are aware of the Safe and Sound offer and that local businesses understand the growing need to support the charity.
Carol Ezis: Ambassador
As a teacher of PSHCE in Derby for many years, I’ve seen the wonderful work that Safe and Sound do raising vital awareness in schools and supporting young people who really need them. It’s been very rewarding working with Safe and Sound Team Members and seeing how well they engage young people.
I know that there are plans to expand the remit with exciting new ventures to reach a greater variety of vulnerable youth, so when retiring in July, I felt very privileged to know that my expertise of working with young people could still be useful in finding effective ways to help them. I have always been dedicated to facilitating teenagers to get the most out of their lives, especially against the odds and to helping them to turn things round, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity for me.
Sharon Stevens-Cash: Ambassador
Sharon Stevens-Cash is the Founder and Director of Gravity Digital, a Derby-based marketing agency that works with organisations to build strong, meaningful connections with their audiences.
Sharon has become an Ambassador for Safe and Sound because of her personal understanding of the devastating impact child exploitation can have on young people and families. Through both her own experience and that of a close family member, she knows how hidden and difficult exploitation can be to recognise. Often the signs are unseen, unheard and misunderstood, leaving young people feeling isolated and unsure where to turn. As an Ambassador, Sharon is committed to helping raise awareness of child exploitation and supporting the vital work Safe and Sound does to protect vulnerable young people. She is passionate about ensuring that young people know there is always someone who will listen and help them, even if they are unsure about what is happening to them or how to ask for support.
