First Light is delighted to have been accepted into this year’s Big Give Women and Girls Match Fund, giving supporters the chance to help us raise vital funds for local Survivor Crisis Funds.
Why this matters
Through the campaign, we aim to raise £7,000 in donations. Every eligible donation will then be matched through The Big Give, helping us reach a total of £14,000 for local Survivor Crisis Funds across the counties we work in.
The campaign will run from 12pm on 6th October to 12pm on 13th October, giving supporters one week to donate and have their eligible donation matched through The Big Give.
The funds will provide practical, immediate support for people affected by sexual violence, domestic abuse and church-related abuse, helping First Light respond to urgent needs that traditional funding often cannot cover.
For many people, the barriers to safety and recovery are practical as well as emotional. A lack of phone credit, money for transport, food, clothing or personal safety items can prevent someone from accessing support, attending appointments or taking important steps towards safety.
The Crisis Funds will help provide:
- Personal safety devices and alarms
- Emergency travel costs
- Mobile phone credit and data
- Food and essential household items
- Clothing and toiletries
- Emergency accommodation-related costs
- Other urgent practical support tailored to an individual’s circumstances
These are often relatively small costs, but they can have a significant impact on someone’s ability to access support, increase their safety and move forward with their recovery.
How your support can help
By supporting this campaign, donors can help create flexible local funds that First Light staff can use quickly and safely when someone faces an urgent practical challenge.
Our ambition is to build support for a Crisis Fund in each county we work in, ensuring that people can receive practical help at the point they need it most.
The Big Give Women and Girls Match Fund is a powerful opportunity to make every donation go further and increase the support available to people who rely on First Light’s services.
This year’s campaign builds on First Light’s previous Big Give activity, while taking a wider approach across the counties we work in.
Previous Big Give campaigns helped raise £10,000 for Cornwall Domestic Abuse Service and just over £3,000 for services in Swindon and Wiltshire.
This year, our goal is to raise £7,000 in donations, which will be doubled by The Big Give to create a total of £14,000.
We know from our work every day that practical support can make the difference between someone remaining in crisis and someone being able to take the next step towards safety and recovery.
More details about the campaign and how to donate will be shared soon. Please look out for updates ahead of 6 October and help us spread the word when the campaign goes live.
Looking ahead: upcoming campaigns and projects
Supporting students during Freshers’ season
Throughout September, First Light will be attending Freshers’ events across the counties we work in, sharing information and resources with students. We will also be exploring opportunities to support student-led Students Against Abuse societies and networks over the next 12 months.
Domestic Abuse Awareness Month: It Didn’t Start Like This
Launching in October, First Light’s Domestic Abuse Awareness Month campaign, It Didn’t Start Like This, will focus on helping people recognise the early signs of abuse and understand how harmful behaviours can escalate over time. We will be inviting communities, organisations and supporters to get involved and help spread the message.
Reclaim the Net: 16 Days of Action
First Light’s 16 Days of Action Against Violence Against Women and Girls campaign will focus on online abuse this year. Through events, awareness raising and a 16-day digital protest, the campaign will explore the experiences of women and girls online and advocate for safer digital spaces.
