Hello Everyone!
We would like to wish you a Very Happy Christmas,
This has been a busy year for us and we are so grateful for all the support we have had from everyone who has helped us or contributed to our work in some way.
Over 420 people this year have contacted us for counselling, workshops groups or email support on where to get some help and resources.
Ten Years Of Workshops
Over 700 people have attended our workshops since we started running these in 2008!
These we think are quite unique as they are open to Survivors and also their partners, friends and supporters including mental health professionals.
We ran two workshops this year which over 70 people attended. For both Workshops 100% of those who came
said the workshop met or exceeded their expectations. We received some lovely feedback including:
Really enjoyed the warm environment that you all created it was delivered with empathy and really good source of knowledge.
It has improved my self-image and self-esteem and improved my mental health
Big thanks to our Facilitators: Michelle, Leasa, Rebecca, Sophie, Cheryl and Danbee
Women’s Survivors Psycho-Educational Course Groups
We ran two courses this year and received encouraging feedback from those who attended:
100% of those who came to the courses said they felt more emotionally stable at the end of the course. One Member commented “I can’t describe what a difference this course made ……..I feel like a different person”
One to One Counselling
We were also able to offer some subsidised one to one counselling
We received very positive feedback from our clients.
Email Support
This year we have received lots and lots of requests for support Signposting and information from
Survivors, Partners, Social Workers, Counselling and Mental Health Professionals. We have endeavoured to get back to these professionals within four to five working days with information and resources.
Funding News
We have managed to secure funding from The Mayor’s Fund MOPAC,
Tula Trust, Pamela Barlow Charitable Trust, Paragdim Trust, Sarah Gilbert completed a sponsored walk to the top of Ben Nevis on 30th May 2018! Also the Co-Op has chosen us as one of their Community Fund so if you shop there you can add to our community fund without spending any money!
We are so grateful for the help of Julia and Jemina who have worked so hard to get these funding bids for us.
In The Media
During Sexual Violence Awareness Raising Week in February Rebecca spoke on the women’s programme on Premier National Radio as part of the week’s events.
Working With Other Services:
We are proud to be members of the Survivors Trust the National Umbrella Organization that represents Survivors Organizations at Government Level and engaged in all their London Meetings this year. We also facilitated training in other mental Health services in order to equip counsellors to Support Survivors effectively
including Metro Counselling Service in London which Focuses on supporting The LGBTQI Plus Community.
Contributing to National Reports:
Our ten week course was featured in very positive way in the NHS England Report NHS England Strategic Direction for Sexual Assault and Abuse Services Publication in June 2018 and we participated in several Mayor of London Reports for improving services to Survivors in the London area.
People Still Suffering:
According to The Survivors Trust over the past few years the numbers of adult survivors disclosing and reporting to the police has increased by 90%. The numbers of adult survivors seeking support and specialist therapy have also increased by 90%, but the funding does not match the demand and along with many other agencies we are not able to offer help to everyone who asks us – so we are constantly seeking new ways to fund and support people creatively.
Thank you!
We would really like to thank Jemina Talja our amazing fundraiser, John Williamson for his great work on the website and publicity. We would also like to thank Lifecentre who we work in Association with and value so highly. Maureen and Natasha at St Andrews and our friends at LIFT who have helped us with our venues. David at Pollyprint for our printing. We would especially like to thank all our Facilitators for the workshops and groups this year including Sophie, Cheryl, Danbee, Michelle, Leasa and of course all our attendees who have joined us for our Into The Light workshops, courses and seminars, it really has been great to meet you! If you would like to donate to our work please send us an email and we can give you more information at: info@intothelight.org.uk.
Have a good Christmas, Happy New Year and hopefully see you in 2019 to all our readers!
Rebecca, Sadie, Nicky , Pritti
Into The Light Directors