Past news brief

See N&E Latest for current news (approx. 4 mth span).

Jan 2012: ~ Guildford’s Yoga studio, Red Hot Yoga (ext. website) supports RASASC through its regular Friday 4.30-5.45pm Karma class for January, February and March. Karma Classes are £6, of which £5 will go to RASASC. ~ Our latest Helpline Training Course starts 21 Jan (details). ~ Invitations issued for RASASC's 18th AGM (to be held at an undisclosed location on 14 Feb). ~ Nicola (our London 2012 Marathon runner) reached the summit of Kilimanjaro on Sun 16 Jan despite strong altitude sickness, and will return with photos!

Dec 2011: ~ RASASC reached the finals of a Youth & Philanthropy Initiative Project at Guildford's Tormead High School for Girls. Helped by our staff and volunteers, three senior girls (Hannah, Georgia and Charlotte) produced a short presentation about RASASC, its patron Anne Milton MP, SARC and HMG's Witness Service provision for survivors, which they gave with eight other finalists at 6.30pm on Thurs 8 Dec. They ended runners-up, winning £1,000 for our charity on the process. ~ Our fundraising Winter Fair at Guildford's Guildhall (Sat 10 Dec) was well attended with a high footfall helped by mild weather, the outcome raising over £1,700 for RASASC. ~ Spare places for more female volunteers for our Helpline Training Course (Jan 2012) advertised in local press.

Nov.2011: Actress and RASASC patron Susan Penhaligan pictured (expreme right) visiting the cast of "Festen", a play about sexual violence performed by Guildford School of Acting's 3rd year students at Surrey University in mid-Nov. at which the cast fundraised for RASASC after each performance and raised a total of £291.

Nov 2011: Autumn newsletter issued on 9 Nov (also downloadable). RASASC has been supporting 3rd Year students at Guildford School of Acting in preparations for "Festen", a play about sexual violence being performed on 16-19 Nov (details, Surrey Uni. website) RASASC seeks more female volunteers for Helpline Training Course (set for Jan 2012). Surrey Police's SOTOs (Sexual Offence Trained Officers) renamed to SOIT, pron. “sow-it” (Sexual Offences Investigation Team). Our office is now collecting any unwanted "good as new" gift items that supporters may wish to donate for use as prizes at our 10 Dec Winter Fair at Guildford's Guildhall. Kimberley ran in the Athens Classic Marathon and raised over £1,000 - a brilliant achievement.

October: Newspaper clipping of RASASC Chair Cathie Smith launching our 'Positive Pedal Power' scheme in September, aimed at helping to restore the confidence of female victims of sexual violence. (Click to read article online at ThisIsSurreyToday.co.uk).

Oct 2011: Two tickets donated by local firm for RASASC volunteers to see "We Will Rock You" at London's Dominion Theatre, received with thanks! Workshop on Vicarious Trauma (mid Oct) postponed for a month due to leader temporary unavailability. New scheme launched, "Positive Pedal Power", for female survivors wishing to rebuild their confidence and make contact with others. Online sponsorship page set up for RASASC runner Kimberley entering November's Athens Marathon. Next HV training course (Jan 2012) dates set.

Sept.2011: RASASC Vice-Chairman Malcolm Henderson-Begg speaking at the "Big Grassroots" public debate in Guildford hosted by SADAS (Surrey Addictions Advisory Service). The debate explored charities working with vulnerable and traumatised people from all walks of life.

Sept 2011: RASASC made a presentation at the "Big Grassroots" public debate on 1 Sept in Guildford hosted by SADAS (Surrey Addictions Advisory Service). Mother-&-daughter Sheila and Gemma completed the 2011 Adidas 5km Run on 11 Sept (still sponsorable via www.mycharitypage.com/Sheila4RASASC until 1 Oct). Cross-channel swim by relay team (orig. estim. 5-11 Sept) postponed for a week due to high winds - finally attempted with reduced team of three at 12.30am on Thurs 15 Sept, but abandoned after 3hrs due to choppy seas and official advice on the dangers of continuing. Nevertheless over £2,200 raised for charity. RASASC's move into new (and larger!) office premises in central Guildford finally completed on 20 Sept with a welcoming "Open Evening" for all staff and volunteers. Our new Schools Awareness Sub-Committee held its first meeting on 27 Sept.

Aug.2011: Swimmers Danny Halpin (left) and Mark Donnison (right) in August 2011 during training for their September cross-channel relay swim for charity. Mark is the partner of one of our trustees and is swimming to raise funds for RASASC.

Aug 2011: Office admin dept. holiday break 8-15 Aug. Website had its 10,000th visitor (since Jan 2010) in mid-month. Online sponsorship page set up for RASASC's two Adidas Run 2011 funrunners. Contract negotiations ongoing for alternative office premises. Office moved to different temporary location on 28 Aug.

Jul 2011: Office relocation extended to Aug (search still ongoing). Summer newsletter issued (also downloadable). Second patron (actress Susan Penhaligon) announced. Runner for London Marathon 2012 chosen from candidates. On 6 July RASASC displayed at Health & Wellbeing Fair, Godalming Sixth Form College. RASASC's BikeRide 2011 (our second such event) on 10 July attracted 16 sponsored cyclists, almost double the participation of 2010.

June: RASASC volunteers inside and outside Guildford Cathedral at the Jubilee Fair on 11 June, detailing (left) helpline worker Jane with our fundraising Children's Game and (right) sponsored volunteer Gemma's abseil from the top of the tower. Read event outcome..

Jun 2011: A "Witness Service" explanation tour of Guildford Crown Court takes place for interested RASASC volunteers on Tues 28 June. The month also brings several fundraising events: Cathedral Abseiling by three supporters (Sat 11th), our Alexandra Rose Day Collecting on Guildford High Street (Sat 18th), a Bordon car boot sale by volunteers (Sun 19th, weather dependent), and Eagle Radio's Great Balloon Race (in which Memset Ltd have kindly entered 10 balloons for RASASC). All event proceeds will go towards the cost of maintaining our services.

May: Pictured (left to right): RASASC's sponsored walkers Sonja, Andy, Janice and Gill proudly wearing our brand new fundraising tee-shirts just before the start of the 2011 Annual Guildford Charity 10km Walk organised by Guildford Rotary Club on May 8th. Read event outcome.

May 2011: 10 RASASC volunteers went to HMP Send at the end of April for an all-day "Women's Domestic Violence Awareness" workshop given by eight inmates to 30 attendees. New multicoloured RASASC charity tee-shirts became available for fundraisers. A group of four RASASC walkers including Mgmt. Coordinator Sonja completed Guildford's Sponsored 10Km Walk 2011 on May 8 in three hours to raise over £600 towards the cost of our having to move office soon. Abseiling 2011 publicity flyer issued (see downloads).

Apr 2011: Spring newsletter issued (see downloads). Second podcast in production. Full website upgrade for enhanced graphics and extra facilities incl. Tour program, specific Event pages (eg. our BikeRide 2011), Sales page and Gift Aid calculator. Vacancy for new Trainer announced. Office closed for Easter (Weds 20th - Tues 26th).

Mar 2011: Next HV training course (May) set. Plans for 2011 fundraising events announced incl. 2nd Bike Event (July). Ongoing search for urgent new premises. Spring newsletter in production.

Feb.2011: Opening of Surrey SARC by RASASC patron Anne Milton MP (Gfd.), Under-Sec. for Public Health, assisted by David Clayton–Smith (Chair, NHS Surrey), paediatrician Sharmalene Fernando who began the SARC campaign five years ago, Carole Lawrence-Parr (Director, Harmoni for Health) and Surrey Police Det. Chief Supt. Helen Collins.

Feb 2011: RASASC's 17th AGM held on 8 Feb with guest speaker Craig Jones (Surrey SARC Development Manager). New ISVA and Surrey SARC webpage. State-of-the-art Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) opened in Cobham at month-end.

Jan 2011: Urgent search for new premises continuing. RASASC on Facebook launched. Surrey SARC set to open on 28 Feb in Cobham.

News is also included in our regular PDF newsletters issued about four times yearly to friends and supporters of RASASC. These include reports of unpublicised activities such as presentations given and conferences attended.

Dec 2010: Surrey ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) began work at RASASC. Winter newsletter issued (see downloads).

Nov 2010: Recipe book "A Bit of a Stir" published. Winter Fair & Booklaunch at Guildford's Guildhall on Nov 6 raises £1400 funding for RASASC. Search for new RASASC premises begun via press.

Sep 2010: RASASC announces a new patron - Anne Milton, Guildford MP and Health Minister. Vacancy for brand new Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) position advertised, to operate jointly from RASASC and (in 2011) from Surrey SARC. Autumn newsletter issued (downloads).

Jul 2010: RASASC Trustees organised a social evening "get-together" buffet for all volunteers on 8 July as a means of thanking them for their dedicated support. A group of CHL and SAG colleagues made a sponsored two-day bike ride from Fleet to Bath on 30-31 July raising funds for RASASC.

Jun 2010: RASASC organised a sponsored BIKE RIDE along South Downs Link Trail on Sun 27 June with over a dozen participants.

May 2010: RASASC volunteers won Surrey Criminal Justice Board's 2009 Award for "Outstanding Achievement in Caring for Victims and Witnesses" Also won 'Eagle Radio & Guildford College' community podcasting scheme's "Best Podcast" award.

Apr 2010: Events attended included a Crime Diversion Scheme Day at HMP Send Women’s Prison. Latest newsletter issued (downloads).

Mar 2010: Supporter Natalii skydived from over 10,000ft (freefalling the first 5,000ft!!) on 13 March to fundraise £750 for us. Bike ride event moved to June. History webpage updated.

Feb 2010: Four new trustees elected at 16th RASASC AGM held on 9 Feb, where guest speaker was Haydn Morris of Surrey Drugs & Alcohol Advisory Service (SADAS). Website: new feedback page added.

Jan 2010: RASASC's first podcast - an audio broadcast describing our Helpline work, available as streaming media or as a downloadable MP3.

Dec 2009: RASASC "Winter Shop-Stop!" event at Guildhall, Guildford. Latest newsletter issued (downloads). RASASC elected onto National Executive Committee of The Survivors Trust.

Nov 2009: RASASC 2010 Art Calendar now on sale (more details).

Oct 2009: Six-week training of further helpline volunteers begun. New HV Job Spec. & App.Form downloadable.

Sept 2009: Very successful 2010 Calendar Art Competition although planned Art Show to display winners cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances.

Aug 2009: Guideline advice/info on Explaining to Children and on Rape Sentencing added to website. Latest PDF Newsletter issued (August, also via downloads).

July 2009: Launch of fundraising Calendar Art Competition (also in Surrey Advertiser, Fri 31st July). Details.

May 2009: New downloads page launched. Special "May Events" PDF issued to publicise three outdoor May-June fundraising events (gliding, walking, cycling).

Apr 2009: Further Management Committee and Trustee appointees sought following the loss through other work commitments of two 2009 Trustees. For more information, click for voluntary Committee advisor or Trustee details or contact our office to discuss the role(s) further.

Mar 2009: Sadly due to economic circumstances our counselling sessions in Woking have now ceased. Sessions in Guildford continue unaffected.

Jan 2009: Our 15th AGM was attended by over 70 invitees. Cathie Smith was elected new Chairman of Trustees upon Louise Berger's retirement and a guest speaker from Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy described the work of Guildford's Street Angels. Shown (right): Louise Berger and several invitees at post-AGM buffet.

Dec 2008: RASASC's Christmas Gift & Treat Fair at Guildford's Guildhall on Sun 7th Dec raised over £1000 to aid emergency funding - Thank you to all volunteers, stallholders and public who supported the event.

Nov 2008: Training course for new Helpline volunteers began 8 Nov.

Sept 2008: RASASC volunteer Cassie ran Adidas Women's 5K Challenge on 7 Sept in Hyde Park, raising nearly £400. RASASC helpline gave support to BBC Action Line referrals for viewers affected by an Eastenders child sex abuse storyline (aired from 14 Sept - 12 Oct). A group of RASASC supporters took part in the annual March & Rally Against Child Sex Abuse in London on 27 Sept.

July 2008: Website redesigned to coincide with 15th anniversary of RASASC helpline operation. Improved settings include a "brief news" column on homepage.

May 2008: Training course for new Helpline volunteers began 10 May.

Mar 2008: We are sad to announce the closure of our extra helpline (run since 2006 by men) for males. However the main helpline (run by females) welcomes female and male callers, as always.

Feb 2008: AGM attended by Deputy Mayor of Guildford (Cllr Jennifer Jordan). Guest speaker Dr Anne Appleton (ex-police surgeon) gave a very interesting talk on her experience as an examining doctor at 50 rape/sexual abuse cases and 10 court cases, concluding that the relationship between low self-esteem and drinking alcohol seemed to be strongly linked among survivors of rape/sexual abuse.

Oct 2007: Helpline volunteer Stephanie ran the Dublin Marathon, joining 11,000 other runners and officially completing the course in 4h:54m:03s, raising a total of just over £350 for RASASC.