Our Story
Safe New Futures was started 25 years ago to address unemployment issues in and around the most deprived areas of Southampton.
When it became clear that low self-esteem and confidence was holding individuals back from moving forward in life, a self-development training programme was written with the help of experts at the University of Southampton.

Since then our programmes of support have gone on to help thousands from Southampton and the surrounding areas transform their lives and achieve great things.

We are a small yet professional team, supported by a passionate group of volunteers - many of whom are ex-candidates keen to pass on the benefits of our incredible programmes of support. We focus on using our limited resources to the best of our ability – reaching out to those most vulnerable and in need of our services.
"SAFE is an effective and trustworthy organisation which has provided employment support services to the hardest to reach communities for years. Their approach in the Choices course has been academically and externally validated and they have run the service for Southampton and other local areas. I would strongly support this charity with its motivational and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy based) approach. SAFE’s Choices programmes give something different and provides immense support to people furthest from the labour market.”
Kathryn Rankin, Commissioner and City Deal Programme Manager with Southampton City Council

“The strengths quiz helped, realising how many skills that I had. It helped me to consider my changes. The session on long-term goals and short-term goals helped me to be more secure with what I want to do in the future. I want to get a part-time job and start an English course - and afterwards find a full-time job in retail.”

“The barriers I had were to do with interviews and thinking - what if I don’t have what they want. Now all those barriers have pretty much gone away.”
We see every person as a valuable human being with incredible worth and an ability to contribute to the community in which they live. We work by the values set out below.
Relational – We aim to be genuine, open and honest, really listening and seeking to understand
Value and worth – We strive to empower and believe in people, spot their strengths and see what they can do
Best interests – We work to put others before ourselves, and give genuine care
Justice – We want to bring fairness, and show our concern for the disadvantaged
Generosity – We aim to go the extra mile, serve others unconditionally, give people a second chance, and co-operate with partner organisations
Truth and honesty – We build on integrity and trust and show the evidence for our work
Quality – We strive to be the best we can and give the best to the people we serve.

The Trustees

Anthony Scammell
Chair. Board of Trustees

Steve Nicholls
Secretary. Board of Trustees
Steve has over 30 years’ experience as a business analyst working within the insurance industry.
He has given nearly 10 years’ service to local Street Pastor initiatives, and clearly sees the positive impacts that we can make by listening, caring and helping.

Nick Strong
Board of Trustees
Nick Strong has worked in the business format franchise sector since the mid 90's. He specialises in solving commercial problems through the development and provision of Software as a Service technology. Nick is an adviser to directorships that grow and scale operations and revenue through the franchise route

Sarah Duggan
Board of Trustees

Anita Smith
Board of Trustees

Sarah Giles
Board of Trustees
Sarah has over 15 years’ experience in HR and has operated in a variety of roles, most recently as Head of HR/Director. She now provides Consultancy and Coaching services focussed on Wellbeing and building individual, team and organisational performance. Sarah looks forward to sharing her HR knowledge to support the future of the charity.
The Team

NINA KELLY
Chief executive officer
As CEO with Safe New Futures, Nina is proficient in financial control, and organisational and product development. Her natural leadership style is both marketing-led and people centred. An engaging and passionate communicator, Nina has worked in both the international and UK charity sector for more than 20 years.

Oana Warren
Training Manager

Michael Johnston
Adult New Futures Facilitator
Originally joining as a candidate Michael went on to become a facilitator at the recovery college, using his vital experience to share with others how to transform their lives.
Michael is also the SAFE safeguarding officer, ensuring the SAFE team is competent and confident in carrying out their safeguarding duties

Gini Dellow
Operations Manager

Maz
Head Volunteer

Lorraine Holdaway
Bookkeeper
She holds firm to Safe New Futures' values of giving people second chances and providing opportunities, support and mentoring to help them re-engage with working life.
Volunteers

Hannah Ranger
Choices Course Volunteer

Donna Reeves
Volunteer

Norman Jones
Freelance facilitator and volunteer

Jacqui Hollick
Freelance facilitator and volunteer
Jacqui has been involved, both as a staff member and a volunteer, since the very first SAFE courses started in 1994.
She now runs SAFE courses for unemployed adults at James Street Church in Southampton City Centre.

Jo Gibson
Freelance facilitator and volunteer
Jo, who is a qualified teacher, has been volunteering with SAFE since November 2016. She also has pastoral and counselling training.
She has a passion for people, and always enjoys getting to know the candidates and working with them, to help them achieve their life goals

Zac Keu
Youth volunteer
Freelance Trainers

Claire Thiel
Adults Choices Facilitator
Hi I’m Claire! Married to Nick with six kids between us. I am a Counsellor and I love people and helping them to be free from the things which tie them in knots. I also love the Sea, all things shell and pebble related, and going for long walks with my puppy

Christie Breen
Freelance Facilitator
