Train-maker’s fund boosts sexual abuse charity

SV2, which is a charity that supports anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, has been given a major boost by Alstom.

Thanks to a share of the Derby train-maker’s Community Project Fund, the Derbyshire charity is recruiting another children’s therapist to help more young survivors move forward with their lives.

SV2 is one of the 11 recipients of the fund – with charities and organisations sharing nearly £160,000.

The fund supports projects that deliver social and environmental value for the local communities in which Alstom operates.

Staff are encouraged to nominate good causes as part of the annual funding cycle and then work with a charity or community group to complete an application for up to £30,000.

A senior panel then reviews applications against a robust criteria and, if successful, the project sponsor continues to support the individual scheme through delivery.

SV2’s funding will support its Children’s RASSO (Rape and Serious Sexual Offences) Therapy project, which is available to children and young people across Derbyshire.

The charity, which has bases in Ripley, Derby and Buxton, provides a wide range of services to support victims and survivors of sexual abuse regardless of their age, gender, when the offence took place or whether they have reported the crime to police or not.

SV2 supported 1,536 children, young people and adults between March 2023 and March 2024 through a range of services, including through the helpline, ISVA support through the criminal justice system, counselling and therapy.

The charity also supports the wider families and works to prevent and raise awareness of rape and sexual abuse and their effects through training and education programmes across the county.

Rachel Morris, the charity’s chief executive, said: “We are extremely grateful to be receiving support from Alstom, which will make a real difference to the lives of children and their families across Derbyshire whose lives have been devastated by sexual violence.

“Demand for our children’s therapy services is sadly high and we have a waiting list, which includes children as young as three-years-old.

“This financial support will enable us to put in the resources so badly needed to reduce the waiting list.”

Colin Haynes, environment, health and safety director at Alstom UK and Ireland, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to award another round of funding for charities and community-led projects across the UK and Ireland.

“It was a humbling experience sifting through the applications because it was clear to me that many of these projects were looking for relatively modest grants, which in turn made a significant difference to lives and life chances.”