Hello everyone!
We hope you are well, it has been another busy year for Into The Light and we wanted to update you on some of the work we have been doing to support Survivors of Sexual abuse in their journey of recovery.
This year over 500 Survivors and their supporters have contacted us for counselling, groups, workshops and resources.
Survivors, Partners, Social Workers, Counsellors, Police and other Mental Health Professionals all contact us for our services and support. We respond to these emails offering our services of counselling, Women’s Groups, Workshops and Training where appropriate. We also offer support, information resources and signposting.
Women Survivors Group Psycho-Educational Courses
Our Women Survivors Group Psycho-Educational Course is offered as a hybrid group for three sessions face to face and seven session online via Zoom. This enables the women increased accessibility and enabled us to reach women with long term health issues and women who had small children who would not have been able to attend the course otherwise.
Some feedback from our Women Survivors Group Courses includes:
I’m really grateful for the way this course was delivered. The facilitators created a safe, respectful and supportive environment where I felt heard and never judged. Their sensitivity and professionalism made a big difference in how comfortable I felt about sharing and opening up. The atmosphere throughout was compassionate and empowering which made the difficulty subject feel more manageable.
I cannot emphasise enough how much the course has helped me mentally. I felt like I was in my own prison due to the abuse I faced. I have done years of therapy but meeting people like myself has given me inner peace and a feeling of massive relief. Hearing everyone’s experiences, support and validation has helped me so much. I am learning that healing is an ongoing journey.
One to One Counselling
We receive very positive feedback from our clients for one to one counselling with all saying their emotional and mental health improving. Other comments at the end of the counselling included:
This therapy has been educational as helped me learn so much about myself and relationships. It’s really helped with my anxiety and learning how to express my feelings. Sadie (My Counsellor) is an amazing therapist I feel safe and hopeful for the future.
I was given balance of care and information to guide me along and not remain stuck. Always encouraging me to take careful and considered risks to benefit me. I experienced such horrible shocks recently and without (My Counsellor) I would have been so alone. I hope others get a chance like I have to be supported by you.
Online Workshops For Survivors And Their Supporters
This year we continued to offer our workshops on line. These are open to people of all genders and to Survivors as well as those that support them including partners, friends and mental health professionals.
Our April Online Workshop Facilitators: Leasa, Rebecca, Kasia, Suzette, Sophie, Rachel and Cheryl
We had some encouraging feedback from our workshops this
year including:
I felt I was in the presence of people who truly care and wish to share what can help others to overcome the trauma endured.
This workshop offered fantastic insights with practical applications and useful references to aid psychoeducation of self and others. Excellent value for money, comprehensive handouts and the obvious passion of those leading/facilitating for the work they do shaped the whole experience to be friendly, affirming, non-judgemental and refreshingly connected to the realities of living adult life after childhood sexual abuse and how complex/pervasive the impacts can be.
Training other Services and Counsellors
We have been invited to deliver training at several counselling services and events this year including Leicester Counselling Centre, Young People’s Shop (YPS) Chichester, Hounslow Youth Counselling Service, Sutton Womens Centre and the Association of Christian Counsellors Annual Conference.
We have had some really lovely feedback from our training seminars including:
A brilliant training session! This has helped me feel more confident in my practice.
The Trainer running it seemed very knowledgeable and inviting of different experiences/perspectives. Also I really appreciate the extensive handout – this will be a really amazing resource for me
going forward.
Really useful mixture of practical insight and detailed information. Personal story as introduction. Tips on experts to look up. All of the training was incredibly helpful and informative, with a coherent structure and presentation.
The Survivors Trust
Into The Light is a Full Member of The Survivors Trust
www.thesurvivorstrust.org the National Umbrella organisation that represents Survivors. We have taken an active part in their meetings and campaigns both in London and nationally.
We have contributed to TST campaigns to raise awareness around CSA at Government and Legislation level. We also work closely with other TST organizations to provide the best possible service to Survivors especially in the London area.
Funding And Fundraisers
We are so so grateful to all of our Donors some who are regular givers to Into The Light. Our work would not be possible without your support – we so appreciate you. Renee raised money for us in a very creative way. We are also so grateful to Maggie and Roger Ellis for their very generous donation to our work this year we would not have been able to offer our workshops without their support.
A massive thank you to everyone who supported us in whatever way you did – we would not have got through this year without you. We are also very grateful to have received funding from: Shanly Foundation, Co-Op Community Fund, Bentley, Heathrow Community Trust, Pathways in Ealing and City Bridge Trust Funding. We are so so grateful to all these funders and donations – without them we would not be able to offer the support to Survivors that we do. Much of this funding went towards our Women’s Survivors Group Psycho-Educational Courses, Workshops and One to One Counselling. We are so grateful for the help of our amazing fundraiser Jemina Talja who has worked so hard to get these funding bids for us.
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.
Or see our donations page on the website where there is a really easy way to give through a click of the Give A Little button.
www.intothelight.org.uk/sexual-abuse-advice-donations/ I feel stronger, more hopeful, and better equipped to move forward with my life. This course was life-changing and I’m very grateful to have been part of it. Spring 2025 Womens Survivor Group Attendee
Fundraising Challenge!
Also, please can we ask you to consider doing a FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE for us! Any funds you raise would be so welcome and help us to support Survivors in their recovery from sexual abuse. You don’t have to run a marathon (although that’s great too) but past fundraisers have had cake bake sales and wine tasting evenings!!
I was hesitant about attending (the workshop) and felt very anxious about this course. But from start to finish this training felt safe and trauma informed. The balance was perfect… . The group felt safe and meaningful.
April 2025 Workshop Attendee
Thank you!
We would really like to thank Jemina Talja our amazing fundraiser, John Williamson for his great work on the website and publicity, Brenda Dickens for her super accurate and super patient Finance and Accounting Assistance. We would also like to thank Phil, Sonia, Lisa and Faye and all at Survivors Trust, Alison at CCI Accountants and Maureen and Sam at St Andrews our venue for groups. We would also like to thank Mo Dada from ST Associates from the City Bridge Funder Plus Programme who drew up extremely detailed and helpful strategies for the future in social media and partnerships. We would especially like to thank all our Facilitators for the workshops and groups this year including Suzette, Sophie, Cheryl, Rachel, Kasia, and of course all our attendees and clients who have joined us for our Into The Light Workshops, Courses and Seminars and Counselling – it really has been our privilege to meet and get to know you and be part of your journey.
Also, if you don’t want to hear from us in the future – that is absolutely fine just send us an email and we will remove you from our email list.
Best wishes, Rebecca, Sadie, Nicky , Pritti, Leasa Into The Light Directors
Into The Light www.intothelight.org.uk PO Box 64427 London W5 9HA
Email: info@intothelight.org.uk
Giving Information ~ Breaking Isolation ~ Sharing Experience
