About us
Safaplace is a young charity that aims to provide an environment where all of the community can feel safe; mentally, emotionally and physically.
The charity continues to fundraise, campaign on mental health issues and promote a programme of activities aimed advancing positive mental health and wellbeing. It was established to commemorate the lives of Rachel Finke and Harry Lisle.
Our aims are:
1To support the positive mental health and well-being of young people and their community living in Stoke Newington and beyond, through support, education and advice.
2Make Stoke Newington school a centre for positive mental health awareness for young people, working with other schools, those connected with education and the wider community.
Our story
In 2016-2017 our community was struck by the loss of two of our young people, Harry and Rachel. Since January 2017, and from donations initially collected by Harry’s friends, Safaplace has funded several different initiatives aimed to improve wellbeing and address mental health issues. Working to bring mental health to the fore in our community, Safaplace has funded peer listener training and sessions for families as well as for school staff. Fundraising events are taking place.
For 2020 we took the annual conference online for a day of events with the theme of ‘Mind Body Soul: Finding your Safe Place’. We were honoured to have David Weaver, President of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) as our keynote speaker. The virtual event was attended by parents, carers, teachers and healthcare professionals from the local community and from across the UK. Learn more.
Project & funding forms
Organisations, fundraisers and others wishing to work with Safaplace are invited to complete our projects forms, as follows:
This form is for potential Safaplace partners who are seeking Safaplace collaboration and funding.
This form is for those working with us without receiving any Safaplace resources or funding.
Annual reports & statements
Trustees
Sarah Finke
Safaplace Trustee
A co-founder of Safaplace, has personal experience of family mental health issues. She has been a local resident for 20 years and her children attended William Patten and Stoke Newington Schools. She is currently pursuing a career as an Illustrator having spent many years working in policy and communications in the global trade union movement.
Rose White
Safaplace Trustee
A co-founder of Safaplace, and has lived in Stoke Newington for nearly 24 years. She is currently the Deputy Head of a primary school in Newham.
Michael Collins
Safaplace Trustee
Chair of Safaplace and is Deputy Head of the Upper School at Stoke Newington School where he has worked for 12 years. He is trained in Mental Health First Aid and Suicide First Aid.
Annie Gammon
Safaplace Trustee
Head of Hackney Learning Trust and Director of Education, Hackney.
Jane Acton
Safaplace Trustee
An independent PR consultant specialising in arts and culture. She has lived in Hackney for over 20 years and her children went to Stoke Newington School.
Salma Asokomhe
Safaplace Trustee
A Student Welfare Office and Deputy Safeguarding Lead at BSix Sixth Form College with more than 10 years’ experience in pastoral, mental health, teaching and working within the educational setting and local authority.
Richard Allen
Associate Trustee
Has been a Hackney resident for 25 years and has two children who grew up here. He is a consultant and researcher for the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations.
Antonia Canning
Associate Trustee
Has been a social worker for 23 years, working with children and families.
Kathy Manners
Associate Trustee
A Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist (UKCP). She has had over 10 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and families. She has worked for Place2Be, Kids Company, Monroe Family Assessment Service, a division of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, and at a school for students with learning and behavioural difficulties.
Tom Moore
Associate Trustee
Lives in Hackney and has four children who have been through local schools. He works as a Commissioner for Surrey County Council Adult Social Care, with an interest in autism and mental health.
Andrea Watts
Associate Trustee
A writer and creative writing teacher living in Stoke Newington. Her children have all attended Hackney Schools.