As we move into the New Year, CEO Jo Gough looks forward, and back.
"I want to start by saying that I hope you had a good festive season, some happy times and some rest. I know Christmas isn’t always easy, or happy.
Before we look forward to 2025, I want to reflect on 2024.
2024 was a tough year for us. The loss of important funding meant that we have had to reorganise our team and close some services. It was a difficult time for us all, with every job, including mine, considered carefully. It was hard to say goodbye to team members, new and old, and difficult to explain to those reliant on our support.
We worked together to find the best solution we could for RISE and the community we serve and support. Survivors’ voices and ideas were at the centre of our plans informing our new strategy RISE Five-year Strategic Aims 2024 to 2029 | RISE and values Our Values | RISE . Even more importantly we developed a new RISE Big Picture (theory of change) that imagined what life will be like for survivors when they are free from abuse and violence.
Those experiencing the trauma of violence and abuse, are clear what life would be like if and when they are free from abuse and violence which is expressed by survivors as:
• We will feel and be safe – not scared or anxious.
• We will feel and be at peace.
• We will feel and be free.
• We will feel and be heard and believed.
• We will be happy and hopeful.
• We will be in control of our lives.
We are now looking forward, to a new year, full of possibility. We’re starting 2025 with a smaller team, a smaller service, some new team members – and the same drive and commitment to survivors as always. And we’re asking you, our community, to be part of building a Brighton free from the fear of abuse and violence, with us.
If you’re part of a business, I’d like you to consider becoming a RISE Business Partner. Not only will you support us but you will be part of the bigger Brighton community, standing firm against abuse in our city.
RISE Business Partners can be of any size, from one person to hundreds, and the possibilities for how we work together are as unique as you are. Some businesses support us once, some time and time again. Some provide cold hard cash, some provide services at a reduced or pro bono rate. All our Business Partners are eligible to receive some free Domestic Abuse training, with more support (perhaps around policy, line manager support, how to handle disclosures) available to suit your organisational needs.
And if you’re an individual, you can help too. You can donate all year round, but perhaps if you’re decluttering and don’t want more stuff, you could ask your family and friends to donate to a RISE Birthday Fundraiser?
For over thirty years, we’ve been rooted in Brighton, supporting survivors and visibly challenging domestic abuse. We know our community is with us in this. This new year, why not stand with us and align your business or yourself with our vision of lives lived without fear of abuse and violence?
Whoever you are, if you want to stand with us, contact us here and we’ll be glad to work with you."
