Well done to Jess and Ian who ran the Bristol 10k race today for Survive. You both completed the race in an excellent time. We were very proud of you.

We were delighted to receive a ‘Red Plaque’ last Friday in recognition of our vital work, supported by Comic Relief funding. Back on Track is our group support programme for young people aged 11 to 17 to share their experiences of domestic abuse, to enable them to understand their experiences and minimise self blame.

Round and red to echo Comic Relief’s iconic Red Nose, the plaque features a quote from one of Comic Relief’s supporters David Tennant and will be placed at our main office in Kingswood.

“We are extremely proud to be able to run this Comic Relief funded project. The group programme gives young people a safe, confidential space to talk about past experiences and to realise the abuse was not their fault. We have seen young lives transformed.” Helen Chignell, Children and Young People’s Manager.

Photo: Donna, Back on Track Lead Facilitator

Bond Dickinson’s Bristol office has helped to raise over £10,000 in the last two years for Survive. Having elected Survive as their in-house charity two years ago, Bond Dickinson staff have provided support and raised money through various fairs, cake sales, raffles, bucket collections, Christmas bag packing, runners/volunteers in the Bristol 10k, Half Marathon and Cardiff Half marathon. Clients of Bond Dickinson also supported the fundraising by donating prizes for the raffles and attending various events and also donating items for our refuge facilities.

Members of Bond Dickinson also volunteered at two of our refuges to help make the garden spaces more enjoyable for residents. One of the main highlights for Bond Dickinson staff was being able to support Survive donating Christmas shoe boxes for the women and children who will be spending Christmas in refuge. This year they donated over 30 show boxes! Bond Dickinson’s support has helped transform the lives of many Survive service users, and has helped raise awareness of domestic abuse.

William Robertson, Partner at Bond Dickinson, said:

“Since electing Survive as our in-house charity for the Bristol office two years ago there has been a tremendous amount of support from both Bond Dickinson staff and clients. Our charities committee have worked tirelessly to organise events throughout the year that have resulted in an amazing amount of money being raised for a very worthy cause. We are proud of the role Bond Dickinson has played in raising awareness of Survive and we will continue to show our support where possible.”

Gillian Carson, Sustainability Manager at Survive, said:
“We would like to thank everyone at Bond Dickinson’s Bristol office for their unwavering support over the last two years. Their commitment and enthusiasm to raise awareness of domestic abuse has been amazing to see. They have helped Survive in so many ways giving their time, sharing their expertise, collecting Christmas gifts for children living in refuge, hosting our 40th anniversary event to name just a few, as well as organising their own fundraising activities. Well done on raising such a great sum of money to help us continue our work enabling people to escape from domestic abuse and rebuild their lives.”

Survive is pleased to announce that Sarah Telford has been appointed to the post of Chief Executive and takes up her post this week (2^nd February 2015).

Sarah comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience of voluntary and community organisations, local authorities and the NHS.

Sarah has spent the last five years at South Gloucestershire Council in the Department for Children, Adults and Health as the Drug and Alcohol Action Team Treatment Co-ordinator where she was responsible for overseeing the work of all community based commissioned service providers and chaired a range of meetings including the Multi Agency Response to Abuse group. Sarah was also an active member of South Gloucestershire MARAC. Over the past two years Sarah has also been a Trustee with Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre.

Kate Mansfield, Chair of Survive said, “We are very pleased to have secured Sarah for this role. Her background, experience and knowledge of South Gloucestershire complement her professional skills. Her appointment marks a new phase for Survive, after celebrating our 40^th anniversary last year. The Board of Trustees and I are looking forward to working with her to lead Survive over the coming years.”

Sarah said, “I am delighted to join Survive. I have worked in partnership with the team over the last five years. They have a fantastic reputation and I am looking forward to leading the organisation and continuing the valuable work that Survive does in working towards freedom from domestic abuse.”

Our very own Emily Elf is sorting through our donations today and putting together gift boxes for our service user Christmas party next week. Other donations are used in refuge throughout the year as welcome boxes for women and children who often have to leave home with nothing.

It never fails to amaze us all how generous everyone is this and every year!

If you want to help in another way, remember you can donate online or via text too. We couldn’t support as many people without help from you and our wider community.

To donate online: https://www.justgiving.com/survive-sglosandbristol/donate

To donate via text: Text SURV00 and the amount to 70070

“I can’t really express how the support you guys give makes such a difference. Thanks for caring.”

Today is the start of Domestic Abuse Awareness Week. This week ties in with the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Violence international campaign that starts tomorrow on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. http://www.un.org/en/events/endviolenceday

Domestic abuse is a devastating social problem that affects every segment of the population. Anyone can experience domestic violence regardless of sex, race, ethnic or religious group, class, disability or lifestyle.

Every minute in the UK, the police receive a call from the public for assistance for domestic violence.
It is estimated that one woman in four (and one man in six) in the UK will be a victim of domestic violence during their lifetime.
On average 2 women a week are killed by a male partner or former partner.
In 75% to 90% of incidents of domestic violence, children are in the same or the next room.

“Even two years on, I still get overwhelmed when I think how much Survive helped me and my children.. I am now stronger than I could have imagined, my children are happy and we live in a loving, safe, happy home. Without Survive’s help I would have stayed with my abuser and most certainly be dead. Thank you Survive. X” (Service user)

Support Survive, transform lives. See how you can get involved…..

Candlelit Walk – Can you help us raise awareness by joining us on our candlelit walk this Wednesday?

Fundraise for us – Lots of people are fundraising for us as part of domestic abuse awareness week; it is not too late to get involved, as some people are holding their events in December. Could you host your own event and help raise vital funds, as well as awareness of domestic abuse?

Patchwork Quilt  – We are auctioning a beautiful handmade quilt that was donated to us to raise money to transform the lives of those living with domestic abuse.

We can achieve more together than we can apart. Together towards freedom from domestic abuse.