My Journey to Safer London

We’re so excited to welcome Rosemary as the new Chief Executive of Safer London.

With a history in youth work and a deep commitment to supporting young people affected by violence and exploitation, Rosemary brings a wealth of experience – and a genuine passion for making a difference. From her early days as a drama tutor in a youth club, to now leading one of London’s leading organisations championing safer futures for young people, her journey is grounded in real-world impact.

We chatted to Rosemary to hear more about what brought her to Safer London, what she’s most excited about in her new role, and a few things you might not expect.

Tell us a bit about yourself, what brought you to the world of youth work?

My route into working with young people wasn’t really planned – it started while I was working as a drama tutor. I ended up running some sessions in a youth club, and they later asked if I’d be interested in doing a bit of youth work. Once I got involved, I quickly realised how valuable and engaging the work was. I loved the variety, the opportunity to support young people’s development, and the genuine connections you get to build. It was a great fit, and things naturally progressed from there.

What drew you to Safer London - what excites you most about being CEO?

Safer London’s work really stood out to me – it’s such an important organisation with a mission that deeply resonates. Supporting young people affected by violence and exploitation isn’t just vital on a societal level; it’s something that matters to me personally as well. Through my experiences in youth work and learning more about the realities of life for many young Londoners – especially those growing up in poverty or facing multiple pressures – I've seen how these challenges can lead to harm and exploitation. What excites me most about being CEO is the chance to be part of a team that’s walking alongside young people through those tough times. It’s a real privilege, and I hope I can play a part in helping Safer London and its incredible staff make as much impact as possible for young Londoners and their families.

How do you think services can make the biggest difference to young Londoners right now?

I think the starting point is really acknowledging just how much pressure young Londoners are under right now. And unfortunately, with the economic challenges we’re facing – including rising unemployment – that pressure is only likely to grow. In that context, services can make the biggest difference by offering consistent, person-centred support, like the kind the team here at Safer London delivers so well.

How do you hope to amplify young Londoner's voices during your time as CEO?

I’m really keen to build on the brilliant work already happening at Safer London when it comes to involving young people across the organisation. I love that young people were part of the panel that interviewed me – and that they’re already helping to recruit others into the team. That kind of involvement is so important. I’d like to see many young people have a voice at every level, including on our governance and even at board level. My aim is to make sure young people not only have a platform to speak, but they’re supported to speak directly and confidently about their experiences – and to challenge systems and decisions with honesty and insight. They’re voices should help shape everything we do.

What's something you're keen to learn from the team in your first few months?

I already feel like I’m learning so much from the team – it's been incredibly valuable to be part of conversations where people are sharing their knowledge and insight so openly. One thing I’m particularly keen to understand better is how we, as an organisation, work within wider systems that have such a big impact on young people’s lives – and how we can advocate more effectively within them. My background is rooted in the community youth sector, but many people in the team have deeper experience with statutory services. I’m really looking forward to learning from them about how we support young people to navigate those systems and make sure their voices are heard.

What was your first ever job - and did it teach you anything you still use today?

My first job was at Wimpy – which, if I'm honest, mostly taught me that uniforms should come in more than one size! But my first role in youth work is where I really started learning things that have stayed with me. It taught me how to build trust with young people, how important consistency is, and how to show up with integrity every day. I was also lucky to work alongside people who really believed in youth work as a vital part of supporting young people’s development – not just as something extra, but as something essential that happens outside the school gates. That perspective has really stuck with me.