Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope
Our Mission: “A committed and proactive children’s organisation dedicated to advocating for and supporting underprivileged children and children living with disabilities..”
We are committed to creating a more inclusive and supportive future for every child. Through advocacy, education, community engagement, and practical support, we work to ensure that vulnerable children have the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.
We will continue to:
- Advocate for underprivileged children and children living with disabilities, promoting their rights, inclusion, dignity, and wellbeing.
- Provide practical support to children and families facing disadvantage, including financial, educational, emotional, and psychological support.
- Bridge educational gaps for children living with long-term illnesses, supporting their learning while they are in hospital or receiving care at home. We aim to help children engage with the required curriculum in ways that make learning enjoyable, accessible, and engaging, while supporting them to achieve positive academic progress appropriate to their age and abilities.
- Create meaningful community activities and programmes that encourage participation, learning, confidence, and personal development.
- Advocate for the reduction of child poverty, working with communities and partners to address the barriers that prevent children from reaching their full potential.
- Promote equal opportunities and inclusion, ensuring that every child, regardless of their circumstances, health, or abilities, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
Making a Difference When It Matters Most
The organisation has made a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families, with Blessing and the team playing a vital role in providing support when it is needed most.
From Queen’s Hospital, London & Great North Children’s Hospital: Thank you to Safehaven for being a ray of hope and for your generous support in providing essential presents and educational materials for the children.
Celebrating every child’s achievements, regardless of their journey, remains at the heart of our work and a source of great pride for us.
Every Child deserve a future.
She’s One in a Million Project
In Memory of the Late Valerie Olalemi
What began as a vision to create a Learning and Creative Centre for children has grown into what is now our Community Hub, a safe and welcoming space where children can learn, create, grow, and thrive.
Today, the Hub provides a learning base for 120 children and continues to make a meaningful difference in their lives, turning a heartfelt vision into a lasting legacy of opportunity, creativity, and hope.
The impact of our programmes is reflected in our outstanding engagement levels, with an overall 95% attendance rate and 99% of children expressing a desire to return at the end of their individual programme. These results demonstrate not only the effectiveness of our programmes, but also the enthusiasm, connection, and sense of belonging they create for the children we support.
With 50% of the children on our programmes identified as having Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), strong safeguarding, pastoral care, and specialist support are central to everything we do.
The success of our programmes is underpinned by the expertise, dedication, and experience of our Safeguarding, SEND, and Pastoral Team, who work closely with children and families to ensure that every child feels safe, supported, included, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Transforming Lives: A Free Choir Programme Empowering Underprivileged Children and Children with Disabilities
We are pleased to introduce Newcastle Young Voices, a children’s choir programme designed to support underprivileged children and young people with disabilities who have a passion for singing.
Building on the success of our Instrument Learning Programme, this initiative provides structured vocal training in a supportive and inclusive environment at no cost to families.
Programme Overview
- Weekly structured choir rehearsals
- Specialist vocal coaching and voice training
- Harmony, teamwork, and performance development
- Inclusive learning environment
- Free participation
2026 Music Programme Cohort Graduation – Highlights! 
‘Be the Best Version of you’ Free Training Programme
In today’s complex world, we’ve noticed an increasing number of 12-19 year old children facing challenges that impact their well-being, such as a lack of focus, moral dilemmas, emotional struggles, and a decrease in self-confidence and optimism.
Our “Be the Best Version of You” programme will inspire, motivate, and support these children in maintaining focus by guiding them on a journey of self-discovery towards a better version of themselves. We aim to assist them in exploring their potential and identifying solutions to their core needs and significant obstacles, ultimately rebuilding their confidence and hope.
The programme will be accredited by ASDAN, with each child achieving a portfolio and receiving their certificates upon completion.
The programme are presently held in Unit 2, Q10 Neon Quorum Business Park, Benton Lane, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE12 8BU
CAMPAIGN FOR MORE BAME TO GET ON THE DONOR REGISTRY
Safe Haven a ray of hope began a campaign to get more Black and Asian Minority ethnic background on the donor registry to bridge the gap of 23% of this group in the donor registry as compared to 75% of the European group. No child from the Black and Asian Minority ethnic background critically ill and in need of a lifesaving transplant deserves a long-suffering wait and risk of death due to the lack of people from its own ethnic minority for a lifesaving transplant. DKMS, Chi Onwurah (MP of Newcastle), the Media, Press, and Various organizations and bodies have joined forces in our campaign around the world.
SHE’S ONE IN A MILLION, LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
She’s One in a Million
The Charity Single Featuring Afrobeat Star Flavour N’abania and UK songstress Anna Reay ‘She’s One In A Million,’ honours the memory of 8-year-old Valerie Olalemi, whose dream was to be “the greatest fashion designer in the world”. Sadly she lost her fight last year following her diagnosis with Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) at the age of 4.
Join us in honouring her memory and supporting the creation of a brighter future for underprivileged children and those living with disabilities. Her legacy lives on, inspiring us all 💖
🌹Rest on Our Valerie💫
Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope receives the point of light award & Northern Enterprise Award For Most Supportive Charity Award for Underprivileged Children
Empowering lives. Restoring dignity. Building brighter futures.
✨ Join us in making a difference today!
World Rare Disease Day
Director, Mrs Blessing Olalemi and Husband, John Olalemi along with singer, song writer Anna Reay at Valerie’s gravesite, as they release eco friendly balloons to mark world rare disease day.
Valerie was born with a rare disease Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), which causes the immune system to malfunction and prevents it from fighting certain infections. the condition affects about eight people in a million.
Sadly, despite a brave battle, our middle daughter lost her battle with CGD after suffering multiple organ failure last April.
Here is wishing every child who suffers from a rare disease the courage and strength to keep fighting till they overcome. We love you and are rooting for you!
Article of the Month
CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE
Children are classed as the most vulnerable group in society. Many children are suffering in this world as they are not being given the care or help they need in order to live fulfilled lives.
There are so many underprivileged children in the world today as they lack what all children should be entitled to; societal and parental care as well as protection and the chance to grow and develop. Many do not have this so-called privilege.
When we talk about being underprivileged we consider poverty as a key aspect of this; as people living without financial means for food and/or a home or lack of access to healthcare or education they should all be entitled to.
At Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope, we wanted to support some of the people in our community who badly need help. We are parents and, as such, we wanted our charity to support children – some of the most vulnerable people in our society. But what could we do, when there is already an array of charities attending to all manner of society’s ills.
Charity is in our heart
Charity is programmed into us. It’s our heart. My husband John and I would shrivel if we did not give as we take, so after pondering on what our charity should focus on, we decided that our two main areas would be supporting underprivileged children and children with a disability.
According to government statistics in UK; It show that before COVID-19, 4.2 million children were living in poverty. Since the pandemic, this number has risen dramatically, with many families struggling to afford food, rent, and bills. Globally, over 100 million people are estimated to be living in impoverished conditions by 2022.
Poverty has devastating effects, especially on children. Disadvantaged children are 4.5 times more likely to develop severe mental health problems by age 11 (WHO, 2015).
Supporting Children with Disabilities
Children with disabilities face additional barriers. They are more likely to experience poverty and social exclusion. With an estimated 93 to 150 million children under 14 living with a disability worldwide, and 8% of the UK’s disabled population being children, we recognized the importance of making a difference in this area too.
Our Impact So Far
Last year, we delivered toys, food items, and cash donations to children in hospitals and orphanages across the UK and abroad and we have no plans to stop. Children are our future, and our fundraising efforts will continue to reach even more underprivileged children at home and abroad. We are also planning to build a permanent creative centre in Newcastle to serve children year-round.
Get Involved
We’re a small charity with big ambitions, and we cannot do it alone. Your support makes all the difference. Please consider donating to Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope and following us on social media to join our mission. Together, we can give children the hope, care, and opportunities they deserve.
This Week Content
Read to the Beat | Official Music Video | 2026 Music Programme Cohort
With children as young as 4 years old, we are incredibly proud to present “Read to the Beat”—the debut single by our 2026 Music Programme Cohort.
Created in support of the library’s Read to the Beat project, this song was written, arranged, and produced by the children with guidance from their teachers. It celebrates their creativity, teamwork, confidence, and musical growth throughout the programme.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated teachers, parents, volunteers, partners, and everyone who made this project possible. ❤️🎶📚
TOPIC OF THE MONTH
Music education changing North East children’s lives for the better
Our work has been featured in the Northumberland Gazette, highlighting the positive impact of music education on children and young people across the North East.
Every child deserve a future
Listen to the voice of
Shan
Chinese actress
Debi
specialist nurse
Christine
Director maximize education