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SSCL announces partnership with Ben Kinsella Trust to tackle knife crime in Britain

Shared Services Connected Ltd, with offices in Newport and its parent company Sopra Steria, a European leader in digital transformation, have announced a strategic partnership with The Ben Kinsella Trust to provide digital and practical solutions, including virtual reality immersive technology, to help fight the ongoing battle with youth knife crime in Britain.

The strategic partnership, which is a part of Sopra Steria’s Tech for Good campaign, will see Sopra Steria and its joint ventures – Shared Services Connected Limited and NHS Shared Business Services – make a commitment to the Trust through donations, expertise, advice and guidance to support its valuable work.

SSCL specialises in technology for business transaction services such as HR, finance and accounting. As part of the strategic partnership, it will help supply the latest digital solutions to help the charity expand its reach and drive even better outcomes for young people in affected communities.

Initiatives cover a broad scope from implementation an immersive virtual reality platform to improve the experience of thousands of young children every year who access the Trust’s educational workshops to assisting with technology solutions for back office functions supporting the charity’s growth.

Brendan Swarbrick, Sopra Steria’s Executive Client Director who is leading the partnership, said: “The rising rate of knife crime on our streets is deeply concerning, and we believe technology can help support the fight against it. By utilising the digital expertise and knowledge within Sopra Steria and SSCL we are enabling the Ben Kinsella Trust to focus on their key objective of driving better outcomes for at risk youths through education and community engagement.”

The Ben Kinsella Trust is one of the leading anti-knife crime charities in the UK. It was set up by Eastenders’ Actress Brooke Kinsella following the tragic murder of her brother Ben Kinsella in 2008.

Colleagues at SSCL Newport have also been fundraising to support the charity, raising £500 from a range of activities.

Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust said: “Every year hundreds of young men and women lose their lives to knife crime in the UK, while countless thousands are impacted by grieving, fear and intimidation. We want to make sure this doesn’t continue and by partnering with Sopra Steria we believe we will have the technical and logistical support we need to make Britain safe from knives once again.”