Member Article

Pro bono support enables charity to extend its services

A charity that helps victims of sexual violence is finally hoping to secure new office space thanks to pro bono work by JK Property Consultants.

Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland is the oldest rape crisis centre in the country and provides information, support and counselling for women over 16 who have been raped or sexually abused.

Based in Newcastle, with outreach counsellors in Northumberland and South Shields, the charity desperately needs new accommodation that is more appropriate to its needs following an increase of interest in its services.

Over the last year alone - many prompted by the stories relating to sexual abuse by high profile celebrities in the media - the number of women coming forward for help has grown extensively.

Sue Pearce is the CEO and a counsellor at Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland. She said: “Although our offices have stood us in good stead for 10 years now, our needs have changed and we require somewhere in central Newcastle that is very easily accessible where women can come for confidential help and advice.

“We have searched unsuccessfully for almost three years and finding somewhere suitable has been hugely problematic. We have very set requirements which limits our options and the fact the building we’re in is now being sold has created added pressure.

“With that in mind it has been a huge relief to have the team at JK Property Consultants offer their expertise and we are already much closer to achieving our goal.”

JK Property Consultants heard about Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland’s plight indirectly through its pro bono work with Newcastle City Centre Chaplaincy and immediately sought to help the charity too.

Kevan Carrick, principal at JK Property Consultants, said: “We are very aware that in the current economic climate charities are struggling more than ever to provide even basic services. The fact that the support required was something we do every day made it a very easy decision.

“We are delivering exactly the same service supplied to our commercial clients, which involves assessing requirements, undertaking a thorough search of the market and arranging inspections, through to negotiating lease terms and completion.

“This is allowing the team at Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland to use their time and resources on what’s important, which is helping women, counselling and operating the charity. Although donations are always very welcome, what we have seen is that many organisations could also really benefit from this type of pro bono support and as such we would encourage others businesses to follow suit.”

Sue commented: “Our expertise is in looking after women in need and as Kevan has said, budgets and resources are tight. Knowing that JK’s input will enable us to find the right office space with reduced costs and fair liabilities going forward is a huge relief and has made a big difference to our sustainability going forward.”

For more information about Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland, please visit www.tynesidercc.org.uk. For more information about JK Property Consultants, please visit www.jkpropertyconsultants.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by JK Property Consultants .