Pledge Network Strengthening Links Between Organisations

SURT is a local initiative set up to help children and young people affected by intimate partner abuse, honour based abuse, stalking, harassment and sexual or criminal exploitation. Established during the COVID-19 pandemic by Claire Amans and Leanne Hansen, SURT’s social purpose is to prevent and stop relationship abuse. Its vision is that children and young people feel safer and happier in relationships, and that they are able to recover from harm as well as develop hope and aspirations.

SURT has delivered hundreds of healthy relationship education, support and advocacy sessions to children, young people and their parents and carers in South Tyneside.

Claire Aman and Leanne Hansen from SURT with Councillor Paul Dean, Lead Member for the Voluntary Sector, Partnerships, and Equalities, at South Tyneside Council — Claire Amans and Leanne Hansen from SURT with Councillor Paul Dean, Lead Member for the Voluntary Sector, Partnerships, and Equalities, at South Tyneside Council

The SURT Hub was opened in South Shields in 2022 as a safe place for children, young people and their supporters to access this specialist service. The facility also provides children, young people, parents and carers with opportunities to develop personal and employability skills, promote self-confidence and raise their aspirations.

SURT joined the South Tyneside Pledge in 2023 as it shared many of the founding principles of the initiative and has already used the network to makes useful connections.

Co-founder Leanne Hansen explains:

“Connecting with local businesses who want to support and give opportunities to our young people is really important. We rely on fundraising support which allows us to continue to work with more families in need across South Tyneside, but we also look for business support and opportunities within the community for our young people to help improve their work-based skills, self-confidence and overall wellbeing.

“We were made aware of the Pledge by Kevin Howell of Howell Technology Group (HTG). As a SURT Sponsor and current Pledge member Kevin suggested the Pledge might be a good way for SURT to connect, we agreed and quickly signed up.

At a Pledge networking event we made several business connections who have kindly offered to provide some fantastic opportunities to our young people. Pledge members Red Stamp Productions and Rescue Pod Training Solutions agreed to join our growing network of SURT Sponsors. They can offer positive experiences for our young people to develop new skills and help improve confidence and self belief to aid recovery from relationship abuse, which is so important. We would not have made these links had it not been for the South Tyneside Pledge. We hope to make further connections in future.”

From left to right: Vicki Carr, Rescue Pod Solutions; Leanne Hansen and Claire Amans, SURT; Kevin Howell; HTG (Howell Technology Group) and Councillor Paul Dean, Lead Member for the Voluntary Sector, Partnerships, and Equalities, at South Tyneside Council

Councillor Paul Dean, Lead Member for the Voluntary Sector, Partnerships, and Equalities, at South Tyneside Council said:

“It is fantastic to see the Pledge strengthening links between organisations – especially between the private and voluntary sectors. SURT offer a fantastic range of support to some of South Tyneside’s most vulnerable young people. I would encourage any individual or local business interested in finding out more about SURT and joining the growing community supporting them to contact Leanne or Claire.”

For more information about SURT and the work that they do visit https://wearesurt.org/