Independent Inquiry – Telford Child Sexual Exploitation
Dedicated Support
The wellbeing of people participating in, and impacted by, the Inquiry is of paramount importance to the Chair. The Chair is aware that the contents of his Report may have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of a number of people who have contributed to the Inquiry, and others. Those people who are currently employed by statutory safeguarding services will be able to access their employer’s confidential support services. For anyone else who may be affected by the contents of the Report, Telford & Wrekin Council has funded a confidential and independent support service from Base 25. This is the organisation that has been available to provide confidential support during the Inquiry’s work.
Base 25 was founded in 1998 and is an independent charity that provides services, programmes and projects primarily aimed at improving the lives of young people, particularly those who are marginalised, vulnerable, or at risk. All Base 25 staff are professionally qualified. Further details about Base 25 and its work can be found at www.base25.org.
Base 25 are independent from the Inquiry and independent from Telford & Wrekin Council.
How the Base 25 service can support you
Base 25 can provide you with the opportunity to talk confidentially to a consistent support worker
Base 25 can support you to develop a well-being plan in order to manage any anxieties in relation to the Inquiry’s work
Your Base 25 support worker can provide support in person, on the telephone, by video call or by text; whichever is your preference
Base 25 can ensure onward signposting to local and national services
Contact
To access this independent support from Base 25, please use the code ‘IITCSE2022’ and contact them, confidentially, as follows:
Tel: 01902 572 040
Mobile: 07495 266 899
Text: 07495 266 899
Email: empower@base25.hush.com
Base 25 can be contacted Monday to Friday, between 9 and 5. Once contact has been established, Base 25 can however be flexible about a place and/or time to speak or meet.
Other Support Services
Other support, particularly when in crisis, is available:
Samaritans
Anyone can contact the Samaritans in confidence at any time, for free, from any phone on 116 123 (even if you don’t have credit on your mobile). This number will not show up on your phone bill.
Childline
Young people under 25 can call Childline on 0800 1111 and have a one-to-one chat with a supportive, trained counsellor anytime, day or night.
Shout
Shout is a 24/7 UK crisis text service available for times when people feel they need immediate support. To start a conversation text ‘Shout’ to ‘85258’ from anywhere in the UK, 24/7. You will be connected with a trained Crisis Volunteer who will listen without judgement to help you move from crisis to calm (a small number of minor network operators may charge for this service).
999/A&E
Call 999 or go to A&E directly if you need immediate help and are worried about your safety.