Our story

Our journey started in 2006, with our inspiring founder, Lucy Dickenson. Lucy spent a year volunteering in Uganda and came home with a vision of providing international aid on a smaller scale to communities in desperate need. Joined by her twin sister, Hannah, they set about learning the skills and knowledge they needed to bring their vision to life.

Lucy and Hannah came together with a small and committed group of friends, who became the driving force behind SAFE. This incredible group of people later became the founding trustees and played a big part in helping The SAFE Foundation receive its official charity status in 2007.

To begin with SAFE set up small-scale projects in Africa and Asia, helping communities access basic human rights, including education and healthcare. The focus was on helping people to fulfil their own potential, providing them with the skills and tools they needed to build a happy and healthy future.

Back home in the UK, the team were beginning to realise that there was a lack of understanding about why international aid was important, and how helping others can be life-changing. Many of the people they were speaking to were also questioning how much of their donations were reaching the people in need. As a response to this, SAFE set up their UK Global Education Programme. The programme raises awareness on why international aid is important and helps people to understand the links between their own lives and the lives of others around the world.

Tragically, Lucy was killed in 2012 in a car accident when working in Zambia. Since then, Hannah has continued the legacy of her sister and has been a passionate leader of SAFE.

Find out more about our founder, Lucy Dickenson, and her vision that kickstarted SAFE and our work.

Latest

Jordan and Cai's 500km Bike Ride

At the end of the month, Jordan and Cai are taking on the huge challenge of cycling over 500km to raise money for the construction of a community education centre for the Dalit community in Mugaiyur, India.
The Coffee Cup Problem

Our reliance on coffee, and the disposable cups it comes in, is proving to be extremely damaging to the environment. What can be done to limit the effects of our throwaway culture?
Jord and Cai's 500km Fundraiser

We were first introduced to the safe foundation through our friend Anj and have loved hearing about the amazing work they do for communities around the world. We have always felt very passionate about small-scale, grass root charities whom often have the biggest impact towards communities in need. We feel the Safe Foundation do just that and are confident that the funds we aim to raise will go directly towards helping the marginalised Gypsy Dalit community of India.
Our Ethical Boutique

This is not your usual Charity Shop.....

Madi's MYWA Mission!

I am volunteering at The SAFE Foundation and MYWA project in South India during the summer of 2018
What we do

Our work overseas and in the UK
Team SAFE - Staff
Volunteer with us

Volunteering can be a life-changing thing to do - for the people we support - but also for you.
Our work around the world

Our global work delivers Education, Health and Skills projects to the people that need them most.
Global Education Programme

We run a Global Education programmes in the UK to help people understand our world a little bit better.
Our story

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Case study Leah

Leah's story
Volunteer in the UK

We have several exciting UK volunteer opportunities that you can get involved in.
Jord and Cai's 500km Fundraiser

We were first introduced to the safe foundation through our friend Anj and have loved hearing about the amazing work they do for communities around the world. We have always felt very passionate about small-scale, grass root charities whom often have the biggest impact towards communities in need. We feel the Safe Foundation do just that and are confident that the funds we aim to raise will go directly towards helping the marginalised Gypsy Dalit community of India.