LimeLight Award Nominations!
Our amazing team has been recognised once again, this time by LimeCulture – the UK’s leading sexual violence training and development organisation. This year marks LimeCulture’s first ‘LimeLight’ awards, which aims to ‘acknowledge the outstanding contributions and achievements of individual ISVAs, ISVA Teams and ISVA Managers who have demonstrated excellence, dedication and commitment to supporting victims of sexual violence through their work’.
We are honoured to have been nominated for two out of the possible four awards.
Margaretta Vauls has been nominated in the ‘Children and Young People’s ISVA’ category (named the Vicky Bardsley Award after our colleague, who was a children’s ISVA) for her outstanding commitment and contribution to her field of work.
The whole RSVP ISVA team has been nominated in the ‘Award for Exceptional ISVA Team’ category, a real credit to their constant demonstration of excellence in the service of survivors.
We couldn’t be more happy and proud of our ISVA team in being recognised, but also for the incredible work we know that they do everyday, helping survivors to cope and thrive through difficult circumstances. Thank you to LimeCulture for recognising us in this way.
The awards will be announced on 28th September, so keep your eyes peeled for the results!
We just had our AGM…
Our Annual General Meeting took place last night (13th September) in the RSVP offices. It was a great evening looking back and reflecting on the year we have had, and celebrating all we have achieved. Achievements such as supporting over 1000 counselling clients, over 2000 helpline callers, and over 450 adult ISVA clients, meaning that including all our other services, we supported 4,193 clients this year, a 54% increase on last year’s figures. We were also able to celebrate because 82% of our clients reported an increased feeling of confidence, 90% of our ISVA clients felt better informed about police and court processes due to ISVA support, and 100% of clients were more hopeful for their future.
The year has been a huge success, with our office expansion, new services being offered, and new staff being employed. All of this means we are able to do more to see survivors of sexual abuse flourish and live their lives to the full.
Last night was also an opportunity to give out our annual ‘Above and Beyond Awards’, presented by our Chair, Sally Plumb. These are to recognise members of staff and volunteers who do so much more than is asked of them in service of our clients. This year’s winners were Emma Jordan (one of our counsellors), Margaretta Vauls (a child and young person ISVA and counsellor), and to the whole RSVP Team as a whole for continuing through this year in the face of a huge office expansion, and the loss of our beloved colleague, Vicky.
If you would like to know more about our year, and the successes we have had, our annual report will be available on here shortly.
BCLC Autumn Quiz Fundraiser!
On Tuesday 18th October, Birmingham Chinatown Lions Club will be hosting their Autumn Quiz in aid of RSVP! The event will take place from 7:30pm at Edmunds Brew House (B3 2ES), and costs just £5 per person to enter – which includes canapes on entry.
If you’re a keen quizzer, or just want to support us in the work that we continue to do, book in a team of up to six people with Lion Stewart, who can be contacted on 07973833519 or stewart@chamberlainssurveyors.co.uk. Thank you in advance for your support, we can’t wait to see you there!
(Click on the image below to take you to our event page for the quiz)
![JPEG_BCLC Autumn Quiz 2016[54550]](https://rsvporg.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/JPEG_BCLC-Autumn-Quiz-201654550-213x300.jpg)
Vacancy: Receptionist
RSVP are recruiting a part time receptionist for 24 hours per week. Your duties will include answering the telephone, welcoming clients, and administration.
Successful applicants will be required to start as soon as possible.
Salary: £15,523 pro rata
Hours: Wednesday 9am-5pm, Thursday 9am-5pm and Friday 9am-5pm
To apply, please email a completed application form to info@rsvporg.co.uk. Closing date 26th September 2016.
If you would like to discuss this vacancy, please speak to Anjella Darcy 0121 643 0301.
ISVA Limelight awards
Limeculture’s LimeLight Awards for outstanding ISVA support is open for nominations until Wednesday 31st August. The four awards acknowledge the outstanding contributions and achievements of individual adult ISVAs, children ISVAs, ISVA Teams and ISVA Managers who have demonstrated excellence, dedication and commitment to supporting victims of sexual violence through their work.
Vicky Bardsley (right) with RSVP CEO Lisa Thompson
The LimeLight Children’s ISVA Award is dedicated to Vicky Bardsley, an accredited ISVA who worked at RSVP. Vicky sadly lost her battle with cancer in 2015 leaving behind her family, many friends and her committed colleagues, and a positive legacy for the many sexually abused children and young people that she has supported.
If you you have received excellent support from an ISVA, you can nominate them for an award, follow the link www.limeculture.co.uk to download a nomination award and cast your vote. Return your completed nominations via email to info@limeculture.co.uk
We’re recruiting volunteer counsellors
If you’re a qualified or student counsellor, you could make a huge difference to the lives of survivors of sexual abuse by joining RSVP as a volunteer. You will be fully supported by a professional team and be part of a unique, specialised service in Birmingham and Solihull.
Counsellors support survivors of any kind of sexual violence, including rape, childhood sexual abuse, forced prostitution and sexual assault.
There are 14 spaces available. The deadline for applications is Sunday 6th November, and should be sent via email to info@rsvporg.co.uk
More information, including interview and training dates, and the application form are in the links below.
Volunteer Counselling Cover letter
Application_for_volunteer_counsellor
To discuss further, contact Anjella Darcy, Head of Counselling and Wellbeing Services on 0121 643 0301
Don’t be Afraid.
A guest blog by Lisa Thompson, RSVP’s CEO.
“Don’t be afraid”… that’s what my late beloved grandma, Nana Gina used to say when I was considering helping myself to more of her home made cooking. However, exactly 4 weeks before the beginning of my Icelandic, 6 day 155 mile run (250km for you more modern folk) I confess to being a little bit scared, well perhaps even more so.
Just like my Nana Gina’s comments which were meant to encourage and give permission to go for what you wanted, that’s how I’m choosing to interpret my fear. It’s telling me to go for it and feel encouraged. Going for a big challenge and a dream you’re chasing is not quite as easy as helping yourself to more of Nana Gina’s home made apple pie but maybe the message is no different; don’t let fear stop you from going for what you want. It’s a good thing to be reminded of as it’s easy to let fear and self doubt talk us out of a dream or to delay it until another day, which rarely seems to arrive. So for you and for every survivor of rape, sexual abuse and sexual violence (who I’m running for and being inspired by) let me give you a ‘thumbs up ‘ to go for that apple pie, to be open about your fear, reach out for support and achieve the dream you want, after all life is just too short not to.
If you can help please share my sponsorship page: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/fireandice
Vacancy: Specialist sexual violence trainer
RSVP are recruiting for a trainer with specialist knowledge in sexual violence. The successful candidate will train professionals across sexual health services to improve understanding of, and responses to, sexual abuse, exploitation and coercion. You will have an understanding of the effects of trauma and be able to share this understanding to ensure that survivors’ voices are heard and they have access to respectful, confidential and compassionate services.
This post is funded by University Hospitals Birmingham, as part of the Umbrella sexual health services.
Specialist Trainer job description and person specification
For more information, contact Anjella Darcy at info@rsvporg.co.uk / 0121 643 0301
JamFest 2016 Launched!
We’ve had an exciting day in the office today, finalising our partnership with the annual music festival, JamFest, hosted by Birmingham’s premier Jazz and Soul music venue – The Jam House!
Tuesday 11th October will see a host of exciting acts descend on The Jam House, bringing an eclectic mix of musical delights right to our doorstep. All proceeds from the night will go to RSVP to keep supporting, inspiring, and encouraging survivors of rape and sexual abuse to be bold, hopeful, and to have self-belief.
We think this could be the start of something big, so if you’re interested in music and want to change some lives then come on down, we’d love to see you!
Why not like and follow our JamFest Facebook page and follow us on Twitter whilst you’re there? We’ll be releasing more details about the event and about the artists who will be supporting us in the run up to the event, so keep your eyes peeled on our social media! (Click on the icons below to take you to our pages, and to buy tickets).
New Legal Clinic for Survivors
Hi, my name is Yvonne Langham. I am the Head of the Independent Sexual Violence Advocacy (ISVA) Services at the Rape and Sexual Violence Project (RSVP).
I am delighted to announce that RSVP are hosting free Legal Clinics with lawyers Scott and Neerali from the very well known and respected, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors.
Irwin Mitchell have kindly offered to have a lawyer available for two hours a month to offer free, legal advice to any RSVP client who would benefit from this service. The Legal Clinics will be held on the last Friday of each month between 11am and 1pm at RSVP. Anyone wishing to attend can just turn up and give their name at reception, stating they are here for the Legal Clinic. No other information will be required at the reception area and a private room will be allocated for the meeting. An Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) will be on hand to offer support, however it is entirely up to the individual if they wish the ISVA to be in the meeting, or if they would sooner speak one on one with the lawyer.
I am so pleased that the first Legal Clinic was such a great success. I look forward to seeing this new service accessed by any of RSVP clients who would benefit from good quality, free legal advice from a trusted and well established firm of Solicitors. I believe the ISVA service, which can be offered hand in hand with the Legal Clinic, will prove to be extremely useful in offering emotional and practical support to anyone who uses this exciting new service.
Free Legal Clinics for sexual violence survivors takes place at RSVP, Grosvenor House, 14 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5RS on the last Friday of each month 11am-1pm. The next clinic will be Friday 29th July.