Community Story: Action Against Stalking

For our latest feature profiling a recent recipient of funding from the SP Energy Networks’ Community Benefit programme we’re in Girvan and Carrick, South Ayrshire, to find out about a fantastic project from Action Against Stalking. Luke Upton chatted with Chief Executive Officer Hayley Tennant about the charity’s specialist support for people affected by stalking, and how its Early Intervention in Education project is helping young people recognise healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Luke Upton (LU): Thanks for your time today, Hayley. To start, could you tell us a little about Action Against Stalking and the community you support.

Hayley Tennant (HT): Action Against Stalking (AAS) is Scotland’s leading specialist anti-stalking charity, supporting people whose lives have been affected by stalking and related forms of abuse. Every day, we hear from people who feel frightened, isolated and unsure where to turn, and our role is to help them feel heard, understood and supported.

Alongside our specialist support services, we are passionate about prevention and early intervention. Through our Early Intervention in Education (EiE) project, we work with young people across Girvan and Carrick to explore healthy relationships, personal safety, consent, stalking, coercive control and post-separation abuse. We know that many harmful behaviours can be misunderstood, normalised or dismissed, particularly during adolescence.

By creating safe spaces for discussion and learning, we help young people build confidence, recognise warning signs and understand where to seek support. Working alongside schools, youth organisations and local partners, we are helping to create safer, healthier and more informed communities for everyone.

LU: Important work. And what are some of your current priorities?

HT: One of our main priorities is expanding our Early Intervention in Education project across Girvan and Carrick. Supporting victims of stalking remains at the heart of what we do, but we know that prevention and education are just as important.

Through engaging workshops and classroom sessions, we help young people understand stalking, unhealthy relationships, coercive and controlling behaviour, post-separation abuse, consent and online safety. We want young people to recognise what healthy relationships look like and feel confident speaking up when something doesn’t feel right.

We are also focused on strengthening partnerships with schools, youth groups and community organisations so that more young people can access this valuable learning. The conversations we have through EiE encourage critical thinking, build confidence and help challenge harmful attitudes before they become normalised. By investing in early intervention, we hope to reduce future harm and support safer, healthier and more respectful communities across the region

LU: You’ve recently received funding through SP Energy Networks’ Community Benefit programme. Could you tell us more about the project the funding will support and what you hope to achieve?

HT: We are incredibly grateful to SP Energy Networks for supporting our Early Intervention in Education project. This funding will enable us to reach more young people across Girvan and Carrick with education on healthy relationships, consent, stalking, coercive control, post-separation abuse and online safety. These subjects can be difficult to talk about, but they are essential if we want young people to recognise harmful behaviours and know how to respond safely.

The funding will help us deliver interactive workshops, develop resources and work closely with schools and community groups throughout the area. We hope participants leave our sessions feeling more informed, more confident and better able to spot behaviours that could put them or others at risk. Just as importantly, we want young people to know where to get help if they need it.

Ultimately, this project is about empowering young people with knowledge, building resilience and helping to create safer communities for future generations.

LU: How important is grant funding like this to Action Against Stalking, and what difference does it make to the work you’re able to deliver in the community?

HT: Funding like this is incredibly important because it allows us to deliver meaningful work that might not otherwise be possible. The support from SP Energy Networks will directly strengthen our Early Intervention in Education project, helping us reach more young people across Girvan and Carrick with vital learning and awareness activities.

Grant funding allows us to develop high-quality resources, deliver engaging workshops and build strong relationships with schools and community organisations. It also gives us the chance to focus on prevention, not just response. We often see the lasting impact that stalking, coercive control and unhealthy relationships can have on individuals and families. By helping young people understand these issues earlier, we can encourage safer choices, stronger boundaries and better awareness of support services.

The impact extends beyond the young people we work with directly, reaching their families, friendship groups and wider communities. That creates benefits that continue long after the funding period ends. Again, a big thank you again to SP Energy Networks and Localgiving for the impact they are helping make.

LU: Brilliant. As we always ask, beyond financial support, what do you think would make the biggest difference to your organisation and the communities you support?

HT: While financial support is vital, strong partnerships and greater awareness can be just as transformative. Issues such as stalking, coercive control, unhealthy relationships and post-separation abuse are often misunderstood, which means opportunities for early intervention can be missed. By working closely with schools, youth organisations, community groups and local employers, we can help make sure people recognise warning signs earlier and know where to seek support.

Through our Early Intervention in Education project, we have seen first-hand the value of honest conversations and trusted community connections. Help with sharing information, raising awareness and opening doors to new networks can significantly increase our reach and impact. We would love to see more organisations championing these conversations and helping create environments where people feel safe discussing their concerns.

When communities work together, they become stronger and more resilient. That collective effort helps ensure young people and families feel informed, supported and empowered to build healthy, respectful relationships throughout their lives.

LU: And finally, is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers, such as upcoming projects, events, achievements or other ways people can get involved?

HT: We’re excited about the opportunities ahead for our Early Intervention in Education project and the positive impact it can continue to have across Girvan and Carrick. Thanks to the support of SP Energy Networks, we can reach more young people with important learning around healthy relationships, stalking, coercive control, post-separation abuse, consent and personal safety.

We are continually inspired by the young people we work with and their willingness to engage in open, thoughtful discussions about these important issues. Looking ahead, we hope to build even stronger partnerships with schools, community organisations and local groups to expand our reach and support more communities.

We would encourage readers to learn more about stalking and related forms of abuse, talk openly about healthy relationships and help challenge harmful behaviours whenever they encounter them. Every conversation matters, and every action helps. Together, we can create safer, more informed and supportive communities for everyone.

LU: Brilliant, thank you very much for the time today Hayley and to you and the team for your important work for your community.

For more information on Action Against Stalking, or how they could help you, click here. 

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