How the Leathersellers and Masonic Charitable Foundation help Safety Net

Safety Net supports the recovery of those affected by rape, exploitation, sexual and domestic abuse in Cumbria. Our work would not be possible without the funding and grants received from organisations such as the Leathersellers Foundation and Masonic Charitable Foundation.

The Leathersellers: Expanding trauma-informed support

Safety Net receives a £80,000 grant from the Leathersellers, which is spread over four years at £20,000 per year, to support our trauma-informed services. In 2024-25, they generously increased their funding by 10%, raising the annual payment to £22,000 and bringing the total contribution to £86,000 over the funding period.

This grant helps us:

●      Provide trauma-informed services for those affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

●      Fund short-term advice, long-term counselling, and peer-led support groups for children, young people (CYP), and adults.

●      Develop a tiered service model with different levels of intervention.

●      Introduce new roles, like Trauma-Informed Practitioners (TIPs), to provide emotional and practical support.

●      Scale services, meeting a 98% increase in CYP served in 2022-23.

●      Expand education programs in local schools, engaging more children and young people.

●      Strengthen data collection and impact measurement to secure continued funding and improve services.

The Masonic Charitable Foundation: Supporting young people’s recovery

Safety Net receives £60,000 over a period of three years from the Masonic Charitable Foundation for our Children and Young Persons Therapist Project. We will receive the final £20,000 annual instalment this summer.

This grant helps to:

●      Fund the salary of a Children and Young People’s Practitioner (CYPP) for three years to provide therapeutic support for children affected by abuse.

●      Support up to 50 children and young people annually, reaching 150 CYP over the full funding period.

●      Provide broader support to 150 family members, offering advice and assistance.

●      Cover the full salary of the CYPP, including pensions and National Insurance contributions.

Our Child and Young People’s Practitioner supports children and young people affected by sexual violence, exploitation, online abuse, and domestic violence. They deliver four therapy sessions per day, with each child receiving 12-24 sessions annually.

Many children and young people struggle with self-harm, substance misuse, and school difficulties. This funding provides trauma-focused counselling and therapeutic support to help them process their experiences and build resilience. Sessions focus on self-esteem, coping strategies, emotional regulation, and online safety.

We have already seen the impact of this funding, including a reduction in the depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms of the children and young people we work with. Many have strengthened their coping skills, improved their self-esteem, and built healthier relationships, leading to better school attendance and greater stability. With the right support, they are gaining confidence and moving toward a brighter future.

We are incredibly grateful to the Leathersellers and the Masonic Charitable Foundation for this generous funding. Their support allows us to continue delivering trauma-informed services to those who need them most.