We’re here for you

The heat is on! 22nd March

Join us on the 22^nd of March as we approach our 40th birthday as a charity supporting survivors of rape, childhood sexual abuse, sexual violence, trafficking, as an adult or child or both.

The need is greater than ever – the heat is on to increase support for survivors.

As the need grows, we have expanded enormously. Already we have had to increase our team of award winning ISVAs (advocates) to offer support with police and court processes, as well as our counselling staff and helpline opening hours.

Come and network with us and others for our ‘hottest’ event yet.

Link to tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-heat-is-on-tickets-42238673008?aff=es2

Please contact Jeremy, RSVP’s corporate fundraiser, on jeremy@rsvporg.co.uk or 07793536002 for any queries or to donate prizes, sponsorship and to enter the Heat Is On Challenge

It’s Not Ok

Did you know that this week it’s Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week? What will you be doing to raise awareness of sexual abuse?

You can use the hashtag #itsnotok to raise awareness on social media.

You can read the words of survivors on our Survivor Stories page.

You can donate to our 40th birthday campaign, we’re aiming to rise £40,000 to mark our 40th year and continue supporting survivors for 40 more.

You can challenge victim blaming myths wherever you hear them. Jessica Eaton has made this fantastic 60 second video introducing the problem of victim blaming in sexual violence.

And what are RSVP doing this week?

Today, we’re at the launch of a new publication To Report or Not To Report: Survivor Testimony of the (In)Justice System by our friends at Reconnected Life. We’re proud to know some of the contributors who have shown immense courage as they speak out about their experiences.

Tonight, we’re at the University of Birmingham to Reclaim the Night, standing up against sexual violence and harassment, cat-calling and victim blaming.

And this week we’re offering 287 counselling appointments to survivors of any gender, any age in various locations around Birmingham and Solihull.

Be part of something amazing

Something amazing is happening this year and we’d love YOU to be a part of it.

2018 is RSVP’s 40^th year!

Have you ever wanted to do something to benefit others? 

Do you want to join a movement of people who are saying “enough is enough” about sexual abuse?

Do you want to volunteer your time and give something back to your community?

Come along to the launch of our new “Fundraising Friends” on Tuesday 30 January, Birmingham City Centre 18:00 – 20:00.

You’ll hear from award winning speaker David Hyner AND receive…

• The skills and confidence to SMASH your 2018 charitable goals and resolutions
• Techniques from 20+ years of research interviews with top achievers
• Access to £100 worth of resources post the event as a thank you for your support of our amazing charity.

There’s no obligation at all to join our initiative – you can just come along and see what it’s all about. All for the price of a voluntary, no obligation donation/entrance fee of just £10! For more information click here

Great News!

The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse has selected RSVP as one of only 17 organisations across the country to fund us to evaluate our services for sexually abused children and young people.

This is really important funding. It will allow us to monitor the effectiveness of our support services for children, measure the impact our support has on the lives of children, young people and families and ensure we are making a difference. We’ll be consulting with young people and families who use our services to make sure that the services properly reflect what young people need.

You can read more about the fund, and the other projects awarded here www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/evaluation-fund

If you are a child or young person who has faced sexual abuse or you know one who has, you can talk to us, we’re here for you and we  believe you. Call 0121 643 0301 to talk about services or call the helpline or 0121 643 4136

Third Sector grants – Success!

Back in May we shared news that the Birmingham City Council were recommending that Third Sector grants, that fund 41 charities in the city, be removed as part of budget cuts.

We shared the public consultation paper, and invited you as members of the public, as users of our services and the people who would be affected by these changes, to contribute your thoughts.

You did, and it had a real impact. The cabinet agreed to extend Third Sector grants to 31st March 2018.

Thank you for your support, you made a difference.

Find out who currently supports our work, and how you can donate or fundraise for us here rsvporg.co.uk/support-us

Infinite thanks!

Infinity Stage Company at University of Birmingham chose RSVP as their charity of the year, last academic year. They spent the year fundraising for us, and have donated profits of their theatre productions.

They donated a whopping £2000 to supporting survivors of sexual abuse, on top of £986 they already fundraised for us from the production of the Vagina Monologues. We’re so appreciative of their hard work and commitment, fundraising and donations make an enormous difference to our work.

If you would like to do some fundraising for survivors of sexual abuse RSVP services at work, school, college or simply among friends and family, get in touch. We can give you a fundraising pack with lots of fundraising ideas, and help to promote events and sponsorship opportunities.

More Capable Than You Think

Our Chief Executive  achieved the unthinkable this year; she ran a whopping 200 miles in under 88 hours, raising funds for our services to support survivors of sexual abuse. She has raised over £4,200 online and offline so far, and you can still donate here localgiving.org/fundraising/only-200-miles

We’re not the only ones impressed by Lisa’s achievements. Runner’s World magazine did a double page spread and RSVP got mentioned too! They interviewed Lisa and photographed her in Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park. The interview is now available online, where you can read about Lisa’s running journey, what motivates her and how running has been important to her wellbeing and resilience.

Lisa also has a message for survivors in the article, “You don’t have to be the strongest to achieve – some of the most resilient people and survivors I know are the quietest and gentlest, with the most self-doubt; but they keep going anyway and achieve their goals.”

Read the full interview here www.runnersworld.co.uk/training/motivation/human-race-i-run-to-help-me-offload-stress

If you are interested in trying out running yourself, in a safe and supportive environment, you might be interested in the weekly running group for survivors. It is organised by Lisa and happens on Saturday mornings at Cannon Hill Park parkrun. It’s free to join and focuses on gentle running for relaxation and fun. No 200 mile races, we promise!

Drop Lisa an email if you’re interested: lisa@rsvporg.co.uk

Please ask Lisa about the Run Talk (walk) event too which she can also introduce you to. It’s particularly useful for people who aren’t ready to run yet or want a less busy group to join than parkrun. It also happens in Cannon Hill Park at 10am and is on the second and last Saturday of each month.

Aviva Community Fund – will you give us your vote?

RSVP’s project page is live on the Aviva Community Fund website. If we get enough ‘votes’ we can secure funding from Aviva to:

• Reduce the time that people are waiting for counselling; due to high numbers of referrals, the wait for counselling to start is approximately 5 months.
• Provide more support in outreach locations around Birmingham and Solihull, so our services are more accessible and inclusive.
• Increase our services and provide more resources for children, young people and families

When you register with the Aviva Community Fund, you’ll be granted 10 votes. You can use all 10 votes with RSVP, or spread them across a number of causes.

Follow the link to read more about RSVP’s cause – supporting survivors of sexual abuse, and to register and case your vote www.community-fund.aviva.co.uk.

Voting closes on 21st November.

Santa Cause 4 – it’s that time of year again!

Santa Cause is our annual Christmas fundraising event, an opportunity to really shout about the important work that we do, celebrate the year’s achievements and raise some extra funds to support survivors.

This year is the 4th edition and will be the biggest yet. We’ll be at Hawker Yard in Birmingham city centre on Friday 17th November from 6pm. The theme this year Christmas past, present and future, explored through delicious street food and exciting cocktails. There’ll be live performances too from Marty Elliott – performing Christmas ballads from the past, Dry Rain – performing upbeat Christmas covers and DJ Silence who will bring the party to a climax.

Fancy dress is optional – but you could win a prize!

Why not kick off the party season for charity and make it a great social occasion, network with lots of great people and make it a friend or colleagues office night out

Tickets are priced at £25.00 per person and include food and drink options.

Early Bird tickets are available until 17th October at £22.50

Group booking discount – Book 10 places and pay for 9!

Book online now via https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Birmingham/Hawker-Yard/RSVP-Santa-Cause-4—Christmas-Past-Present–Future-/13053693/

For any further information contact at jeremy@rsvporg.co.uk or on 07793536002

It was ‘only’ 200 miles!!

Exciting news! Our Chief Exec Lisa Thompson has completed the 200 mile GB Ultra run. She started running on Saturday at 6am and completed the run across the Penines (from Southport to Hornsea!) on Tuesday evening. Incredible stuff. She smashed the 100 hour target.

Watch this space for a debrief from Lisa. For now, we wish her a well deserved, carb-filled- rest!

Over £3000 has already been raised for RSVP, and there’s still time to donate and show your support both to Lisa and to the work of RSVP supporting survivors of sexual abuse. https://localgiving.org/fundraising/only-200-miles/