A Teesside charity supporting people affected by harm, abuse and exploitation established a permanent Middlesbrough base in 2024 after several years of outreach work in the town.

A Way Out acquired premises on Wilson Street, adding another safe place for women, young people and families to receive specialist help. The charity began in Stockton and developed services across the wider Tees area.

A base closer to the people using the service

Outreach allows a team to meet people where they are, but a dedicated building brings consistency. Appointments, group work and practical support can take place in a known setting, while local partners have a clear place to make referrals.

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke visited the new premises and welcomed the charity to the town. said organisations such as A Way Out provided essential, expert support to people facing some of the most difficult circumstances in the community.

The expansion was not simply about geography. A safe base needs staff and practices that understand how trauma can affect trust, memory, behaviour and a person’s ability to engage with services.

Recognition for trauma-informed work

A Way Out also received the Silver Quality Mark for Trauma-Informed Work. At the time, it was reported as the only organisation in the North East to hold that recognition.

The quality mark assesses whether services put an individual’s safety and needs at the centre of their approach. For people who have experienced exploitation or abuse, avoiding unnecessary distress and allowing relationships to develop at a manageable pace can determine whether support is usable.

Chief executive Kay Nicolson said the award recognised the standards the charity had worked to build across its services. She linked it directly to providing a safe and supportive environment for the women, young people and families A Way Out served.

The Wilson Street opening therefore joined two forms of progress: a physical place in Middlesbrough and external recognition of the way help was delivered inside it.

For a charity working with , growth is most valuable when it preserves trust and quality. A Way Out’s new base gave its Teesside team more room to do that work closer to the communities seeking it.

Archive : Premises, services and quality-mark details were checked against The Tees article originally published on 19 August 2024. The original date and featured image are preserved.