Holding Both - the Launchpad

What an inspiring day in the wonderful city of Sunderland, relaunching an important discussion about how the VAWG sector supports its own. How is a diversifying sector supporting survivor-employees in the face of current challenges? How do we Hold Both?

It was an honour to share a keynote speech alongside Dr Beverley Gilbert, setting the scene for a day of reflection, honesty, and shared vision. This is the central focus of my PhD research, and while I’m certainly not the only voice in this space, I hope to contribute a strong evidence base to underpin the conversations that have begun, and will continue, not just in the North East, but across the country.

Together, we can revisit where we are, and then do something amazing. This was a first step to open conversations and look at what is working and what is not.

Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful WWIN Domestic Abuse Services for hosting and organising everything so beautifully, and to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust for their generous financial support.

It was a joy to meet so many inspiring women, connect with organisations across the region, and spend time with like-minded colleagues across the women’s sector.

And as always, my thanks to NCDV – National Centre for Domestic Violence for supporting my studies and recognising the importance of this work and of the VAWG sector as a whole. I’m deeply grateful to work for such a compassionate and forward-thinking organisation.