This autumn marks 15 years of YMCA DownsLink Group’s What is Sexual Exploitation (WiSE) project.
To celebrate the milestone, two best friends are taking on a bold ‘Surrey to Sea’ challenge on 23 October: a continuous 70km run from the organisation’s offices in Surrey to our Hove office near the seafront.
Established in 2010, WiSE provides essential support to children and young people who are at risk of or experiencing grooming and sexual exploitation. Our specialist team consists of social and youth workers and teachers and operates across Sussex and Surrey. They provide trauma-informed support to schools, children and families, supplying information, guidance and resources.
Last year, WiSE supported 355 young people across Surrey and Sussex. The average age was 14. Children and young people are referred to the service through children’s services, health, education and the police. Often, grooming and exploitation begins on online, as demonstrated in Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ (Read our blog by one of WiSE support workers).
We are grateful to the Police Crime Commissioners in Sussex and Surrey for their funding, without which the project could not make a difference every day. Funds raised from this challenge will go towards our early intervention workshops and training.
Leah is an early intervention worker with WiSE Surrey and the brain behind the idea. She explains:
“I’m lucky enough to see the impact of WiSE every day and meet the young people the project supports. For some, it’s a lifeline.
“I wanted to do something a bit wild to mark 15 years of WiSE. Running 15km didn’t feel quite mad enough, so I thought, why not run from our Surrey base to Sussex? I looked it up — 70km. I’ve never run that distance unsupported before, so I’ve no idea how it’ll go, but I’m incredibly grateful to have my equally inexperienced best friend by my side.”
Best friend and former staff member Alice added: “Saying yes to this challenge was easy. When Leah told me she was fundraising for YMCA WiSE and wanted to run from office to office, my first thought was, ‘That’s such a Leah thing to do.’ My second was, ‘I absolutely need to be part of this.’
“Supporting such an important and much-needed project, while sharing the miles with one of my closest friends, feels like the perfect way to give back.”
Their ambitious £1,500 target is inspired by WiSE’s 15 years of activity: £100 for every year they have provided their specialist support. Everyone at YMCA DownsLink Group is so proud of them!
You can encourage Leah and Alice in their incredible endeavour by donating here.
Every penny raised will go directly to YMCA DownsLink Group’s WiSE project, helping to protect and empower vulnerable young people.
“Gemma [my support worker] has had a great impact on my life. She is one of the closest people in my life and I’m grateful for that. I am in a happier and safer space now than ever. I have the WiSE Project to thank for that”.
Kasia* – who didn’t realise she was being subjected to sexual exploitation and was referred to WiSE by her social worker.
*Name has been changed to protect the young person’s identity
