We’re here for you

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/

Arts with Hearts Crafty Summer

Arts with Hearts will be selling their crafty creations at a number of events over the coming months.  Confirmed so far are:

20th May – St Martin in the Bull Ring, 10am – 4.30pm
24th June – Bournville Village Festival, Cadbury Recreation
Ground, Bournville, 2pm – 8pm
1st July – CoCoMAD, Cotteridge Park, from 12 noon

A wide range of craft items, all hand-made by survivors of
sexual violence and abuse and their supporters, will be
available – all at good prices.

Please come along and support us!  All proceeds of our stalls go toward the work of RSVP.

Roaring Thanks Lions!

When was the last time you got a big cheque?  Well, thanks to the generosity of the Birmingham China Town Lions, RSVP has received a big cheque for a big amount – £5, 000!

We’re absolutely delighted that the Lions have been raising money for us at the various events and functions they organise, most recently their 30th Anniversary dinner.  Their commitment in supporting our services in Birmingham and Solihull, allows us to inspire people affected by sexual violence and abuse and support them to make meaningful changes and live a future with confidence.

Thanks again China Town Lions – and here’s to another 30 years!

Consultation on Cuts

Birmingham City Council have announced plans to remove the Third Sector grants programme, which funds 41 charities in Birmingham that support vulnerable people. This is in order to make a saving of £3.2 million in 2017/18 increasing to £5 million in 2018/19 as part of the savings they have been told to make by central government.

This will mean that from September 2017 RSVP will lose annual funding of £10,625 that has previously contributed to counselling, advocacy and self-help group support and information for adult survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

There is currently a public consultation, where any members of the public can submit their thoughts, suggestions and recommendations. You can access more information, and the survey here https://www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/people-1/grants-for-the-third-sector-people-directorate-bud

We particularly encourage survivors to contribute as we think it is vital that your voices are heard.

For anyone who uses our services please be reassured, that though this is a loss of income for RSVP, it will not result in the closure of any service. We have worked hard to diversify our income so that we are not wholly reliant on local and central government at a time when there are so many cuts to public spending.

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

Arts with Hearts at Rowheath Pavilion Craft Market

Fancy a nice day out for Bank Holiday Monday?  Then head down to the  Rowheath Pavillion Vintage and Craft Market on Monday 1st May where Arts with Hearts will be selling their crafty creations to raise money for RSVP.  

Look out for their cute range of sock monkeys!

Vagina Monologues – and cupcakes!

A big thank you to all involved with the Infinity Stage Company at University of Birmingham who are donating £986 to RSVP.  These are the profits from their award-winning production of the Vagina Monologues, which included some rather special cupcakes.  The show was named ‘Best Event’ by the University of Birmingham student’s guild – a well deserved award.  Congratulations Infinity!  

Infinity Stage Company are a charity student theatre group who have been raising money for RSVP this entire academic year and had already raised over £800 for us from their Christmas Ball, raffles, and other shows.  Find put more about them and their upcoming shows at www.facebook.com/InfinityStageCompany

‘Take me out’ at Aston University

Thank you to Sultana Rahmen and her friends at Aston University who organised their own unique version of ‘Take Me Out’ and raised almost £500 for RSVP.

You can read Sultana’s entertaining blog post about the evening at: https://shewhothoughtwrote.wordpress.com/2017/03/07/nolikeynolighty-things-just-got-a-little-spicy/

Thank you to the People’s Postcode Lottery

RSVP have been awarded £18,818 from the People’s Postcode Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. A huge thank you to the trust and players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. The funds will be used to create self-help support and resources for survivors of sexual abuse.

There is a great need for therapeutic support that has lasting impact on the wellbeing of survivors. Self-help techniques ensure increased wellbeing that is sustainable as survivors have the tools, techniques and emotional literacy to cope in the future.

We will create a package of written self-help information, available online and in print on topics and issues important to survivors. We will also deliver a programme of group support, where survivors can receive peer support.

www.postcodetrust.org.uk  

www.postcodelottery.co.uk

Infinity fundraising update

Some lovely news to share before Christmas – the kind folk at Infinity Stage Company organised a fundraising ball for us earlier this month, and raised a fantastic amount for RSVP.  £846 to be precise!

Infinity chose RSVP as their charity of the year for this academic year, and they’re already making a real difference. A big thank you to the whole team.

If you’re interested in checking out their work – you can see them in a production of the Vagina Monologues in February at the University of Birmingham. Check their Facebook page for more information www.facebook.com/InfinityStageCompany

#GiveMe5 is live

As part of Charity Tuesday, Local Giving will be matching 1000 £5 donations all day today. Each £5 donation made today will go  into a draw, randomly selected donations will be matched by Local Giving, meaning donations are doubled at no extra cost to you.

To make a £5 donation, and enter the draw for match funded donations, go to localgiving.org/charity/rsvp-wm

The next #GiveMe5 is on 16th December.