What Safer Wales Ltd does

Safer Wales Ltd is an independent charity headquartered in Cardiff, Wales, founded in 2004 (evolving from Safer Cardiff) to support vulnerable populations often described as 'invisible in society.' Operating with 36 employees, the organization has spent over 20 years delivering trauma-informed and gender-informed services to victims of domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, hate crime, and people involved in the criminal justice system. It maintains a portfolio of specialized programmes including the Dyn Project (the only dedicated service in Wales for male victims of domestic abuse), the Castle House Women's Centre (operating since 2014), the StreetLife outreach project (Cardiff since 2007, Swansea since 2016), the Young Adult Hub for 18-25-year-olds involved in or leaving the criminal justice system, the SWIS youth programme for 13-24-year-old females at risk of exploitation, the Women's Pathfinder Programme, and the wholly-owned Radio Cardiff 98.7FM community radio station. The Dyn Project national helpline (0808 801 0321) extends reach across Wales.

The organization delivers services through a co-location model that integrates statutory partners — HMPPS Probation, NHS mental health nursing, DWP Youth Employability Work Coaches, Cardiff Council Housing, and substance use services — within its physical sites at Castle House and the Young Adult Hub. Its service infrastructure is non-technological: support is delivered through human-centered methods including trauma-informed practice, qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), relationship-based youth work, and harm reduction outreach, with radio broadcasting used as a community engagement channel rather than a digital platform. Additional initiatives include the Feminist Library (launched March 2021) and the Attic Project, a National Lottery-funded decluttering programme delivered in partnership with Care & Repair for vulnerable people over 50.

As a registered charity (No. 3611374), Safer Wales is funded through a combination of Welsh Government grants, public-sector commissioning, foundation grants (The Waterloo Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund), and individual donations and fundraising campaigns (London Marathon, JustGiving, 'A Mile a Day in May' challenge). All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries. The organization is led by CEO Bernie Bowen-Thomson (MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice), who has been with the charity since 2000 and assumed sole leadership in December 2017 following Barbara Natasegara's departure from a unique CEO job-share arrangement. Safer Wales has publicly stated it is 'struggling to survive in this challenging financial climate.'

Name

Safer Wales Ltd

Legal name

Safer Wales Ltd

Website

https://saferwales.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Independent Welsh charity delivering trauma-informed support for victims of domestic abuse, sexual exploitation, hate crime, and criminal justice system involvement across Wales through programmes including the Dyn Project, StreetLife, Castle House Women's Centre, Young Adult Hub, and Radio Cardiff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Welfare Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Legal Aid) (BPADADAH), Child Protection & Child Rights (BPAGABAG), Protection, Child Protection & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response (BPAGAAAG)

Keywords

• Domestic violence support services
• Sexual exploitation outreach
• Youth trauma counselling
• Community radio broadcasting
• Victim advocacy programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Cardiff

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations and Fundraising: Safer Wales operates as an independent charity relying on donations, grants, and fundraising activities. They conduct fundraising campaigns such as the 'A Mile a Day in May' challenge and participate in events like the London Marathon to raise funds. The organization states they are 'struggling to survive in this challenging financial climate' and actively seeks public support.
2. Government and Public Sector Funding: Safer Wales receives funding from Welsh Government and public sector bodies to deliver services. They work with Local Authorities, statutory agencies, and are part of public sector commissioning for community safety and criminal justice services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Safer Wales is an independent charity delivering direct, trauma-informed and gender-informed support services to vulnerable groups in Wales. Its core offerings include the Dyn Project (specialist male domestic abuse service), youth programmes (SWIS and Young Adult Hub), the Castle House Women's Centre, the StreetLife sexual-exploitation outreach, and the Women's Pathfinder Programme for women in the criminal justice system. All services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries, delivered through qualified IDVA staff, multi-agency co-location and community-based engagement, funded by donations, grants and public-sector commissioning.

Product overview

Safer Wales Ltd operates as a portfolio of interconnected social welfare programmes rather than a unified technology platform. The organisation's services include: the Dyn Project (specialist support for male domestic abuse victims), the Safer Wales Youth Service with SWIS and Young Adult Hub components, Castle House Women's Centre, the StreetLife Project for sexual exploitation support, the Women's Pathfinder Programme, Radio Cardiff community radio, a Feminist Library, the Attic Project, and the Children Affected by Domestic Abuse Change That Lasts programme. These services are coordinated through partnerships with statutory agencies including Probation, Police, Health services, and voluntary sector partners to provide trauma-informed, gender-responsive support across Wales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dyn Project: The only dedicated service in Wales providing specialist support for gay, heterosexual, bisexual, and transgender men experiencing domestic or sexual abuse.
• SWIS (Safer Wales Inclusive Service)
• StreetLife Project
• Castle House Women's Centre
• Young Adult Hub
• Radio Cardiff (98.7FM)

Products and services

• Dyn Project The only dedicated service in Wales providing specialist support for gay, heterosexual, bisexual and transgender men aged 18+ who are experiencing domestic or sexual abuse. Delivered by qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) offering confidential support, SafeLives DASH RIC risk assessment, safety planning, crisis intervention and MARAC referrals. Includes a national helpline (0808 801 0321) and a 24/7 Live Fear Free Helpline referral option.
• Safer Wales Youth Service Trauma-informed and gender-informed support for vulnerable children and young people aged 10-25, including one-to-one mentoring, group workshops on healthy relationships, conflict resolution and safety planning. Between May 2024 and May 2025 supported 111 children and young people from Cardiff and the Vale, of whom 76.6% were young women and girls.
• SWIS (Safer Wales Inclusive Service) A project for young females aged 13-24 at risk of or experiencing sexual exploitation, providing one-to-one and group work focused on encouraging positive lifestyle choices and building resilience.
• Young Adult Hub A psychologically informed, trauma-informed safe space for young men aged 18-25 who are involved in, recently released from, or at risk of entering the criminal justice system. Co-located full-time with the Probation Services 18-25 team, with integrated DWP Youth Employability Work Coach, Careers Wales and an NHS Mental Health Nurse.
• Castle House Women's Centre A trauma-informed women's centre at 1st Floor, Castle House, 1-7 Castle Street, Cardiff CF10 1BS providing hot food, clothing, toiletries, laundry, GP appointments (CAVHIS), group sessions, one-to-one support and housing advice. Co-located with HMPPS, CAVDAS, Cardiff Council Housing, the SARC pathway and other partner agencies.
• StreetLife Project A trauma-informed, person-centred project supporting women aged 18+ who are current or recent sex workers or at risk of sexual exploitation. Delivers evening outreach via a mobile van 2-3 nights per week, distributing condoms, safety items, hot drinks and snacks, providing emotional support and onward referrals. Support is not conditional on exiting sex work.
• Women's Pathfinder Programme A programme working to improve outcomes for women in the criminal justice system in Wales through partnership with Probation, South Wales Police, Gwent Police, Llamau and G4S. Since 2016, 90% of women engaged with the Pathfinder service did not reoffend within six months.
• Radio Cardiff (98.7FM) The only community radio station serving Wales' capital city Cardiff on 98.7FM, operated by Safer Wales. Provides diverse music, local and national news, and community programmes, and serves as an engagement platform for multicultural communities and volunteers from the entertainment and arts industries.
• Change That Lasts - Children Affected by Domestic Abuse A programme delivered in partnership with Welsh Women's Aid to support children and families affected by domestic abuse, aiming to improve longer-term outcomes through the Change That Lasts framework.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of women engaged with Pathfinder service did not reoffend within six months (since 2016)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Community Justice Cymru (CJC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2024Bernie Bowen-Thomson, CEO of Safer Wales, serves as Chair of Community Justice Cymru. CJC is a dynamic network of Third Sector organisations dedicated to Community Justice and Community Safety in Wales. CJC collaborated with Safer Wales to deliver the first Wales Social Justice Conference in November 2024 at Cardiff City Stadium.
• Inside Out Support WalescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2024One of the collaborating partners behind the Wales Social Justice Conference delivery team alongside Safer Wales, CJC, and other organisations.
• Welsh Centre for Crime Social Justice and ClinkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2024Part of the coordinating team for the Wales Social Justice Conference, providing academic and third sector perspectives on criminal and community justice.
• Probation ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Probation Services 18-25 team are co-located full-time alongside Safer Wales Youth Team at the Young Adult Hub to ensure seamless, coordinated support for young adults aged 18-25 involved in the criminal justice system. HMPPS (Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service) also co-located at Castle House Women's Centre.
• Welsh Women's AidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafer Wales is working in partnership with Welsh Women's Aid on the Children Affected by Domestic Abuse Change That Lasts programme to improve outcomes for children and families affected by domestic violence.
• Plan UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafer Wales is one of the delivery partners for Plan UK's Champions of Wales programme, which aims to build girls' skills and confidence as well as their understanding of gender equality and rights.
• CAVDAS (Community and Voluntary Drug & Alcohol Service)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organisation providing substance use support, co-located at Castle House Women's Centre and working with StreetLife and Young Adult Hub clients.
• DWP - Youth Employability Work CoachsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDepartment for Work and Pensions Youth Employability Work Coach integrated into the Young Adult Hub services to help young adults access employment support.
• Careers WalessecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCareers Wales provides guidance and skills support as part of the integrated services at the Young Adult Hub for young adults.
• NHS Mental Health NursesecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNHS Mental Health Nurse provides integrated mental health support services at the Young Adult Hub for young adults in the criminal justice system.
• Cardiff Council HousingsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCardiff Council provides housing advice services at the Castle House Women's Centre for vulnerable women.
• CAVHIS (Cardiff Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides weekly GP appointments at the Castle House Women's Centre for women accessing services.
• Action for ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRadio Cardiff secured a partnership with Action for Children that will provide opportunities to young people and expand community engagement through the community radio station.
• BBC WalessecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerBBC Wales has covered Safer Wales stories and CEO commentary on various issues including plans for residential rehabilitation centres and other criminal justice matters.
• SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre)secondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSexual Assault Referral Centre partnership providing coordinated support for sexual violence survivors through Safer Wales domestic abuse services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Victim Support: National charity supporting victims of crime in England and Wales. Comparable to Safer Wales' hate crime and criminal justice victim work, including the Pathfinder-style offender rehabilitation outcomes.
• Barnardo's: Large UK charity supporting children and young people, including those affected by abuse and exploitation. Comparable to Safer Wales' Youth Service, SWIS and Young Adult Hub, though at much greater scale and across wider geographies.
• Women's Aid Federation of England: National federation coordinating a network of domestic abuse services across England. Comparable to Safer Wales in mission and service mix, but operates at national scale and outside Wales' statutory framework.
• NSPCC: UK child protection charity. Comparable to Safer Wales' youth and child-protection work (including Change That Lasts), but operates as a national organisation with broader remit.

Direct peers

• ManKind Initiative: UK charity supporting male victims of domestic abuse. Directly comparable to the Dyn Project because it serves the same niche (male victims) and provides helpline, information, and referral services.
• Refuge: UK-wide charity providing specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Closely comparable to the Castle House Women's Centre and broader Safer Wales women-in-need services in terms of client cohort and intervention types.
• Respect: UK charity working on domestic abuse, including with male victims and perpetrators. Highly comparable to Safer Wales' Dyn Project given the shared male-victim focus and frontline service delivery model.
• Welsh Women's Aid: Federation of specialist domestic abuse services in Wales. Directly comparable because it operates the same domestic abuse, safeguarding, and refuge/support services in the same Welsh geography; Safer Wales is already a delivery partner on the 'Change That Lasts' programme.

Emerging players

• Galop: UK LGBT+ anti-abuse charity. Comparable to the Dyn Project's explicit LGBT-inclusive male victim remit and to broader hate crime victim support offered by Safer Wales.

Others

• Howard League for Penal Reform: UK penal reform charity working on criminal justice policy and young adult offending. Comparable to Safer Wales' Young Adult Hub and criminal justice convening work via CJC, though operating primarily as an advocacy/policy organisation rather than direct service provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safer-wales-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Safer Wales Ltd