Help me to be the support I never had

Hi, my name is Samantha Billingham, and I am fundraising to help continue the voluntary work that I do within the community and across the country.

In November 2006, the abuser I had existed with for three years slapped me, splitting open my lip as I held our ten-month-old daughter in my arms.

When I escaped, my support was an 8 week awareness course of everything I had been through, I never saw a domestic abuse poster, I wasn't given a helpline number or signposted to a specialist service.

In May 2009, I created SODA (Survivors of Domestic Abuse), a support group, a safe haven for those who have experienced domestic abuse to come together without judgement. SODA raises awareness, reduces isolation and supports others.

1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse at some point during their lifetime, with many not knowing they are a victim until it's too late.

Over the last 13 years, I have run my online support group, writing statuses, answering posts and private messages at all times of the day and night. This group is even more active now, with many survivors across the country asking to join. I run an online open domestic abuse awareness page, again raising awareness for others. I have many people on a daily basis contacting me through my social media platforms just wanting someone to talk to, someone who has understanding and empathy. I have travelled across the country to share my lived experience, taken part in numerous radio shows, done TV interviews.

After a recent conversation with my work coach, once SODA is registered as a CIC, I will have to come off benefits and become self-employed because my priority for claiming Universal Credit won't be seeking work anymore. However, once I sign off from receiving benefits and I will have to apply and seek funding - and this might not be guaranteed, Therefore, I have set up this Go Fund Me Page to ask you to help me get from A to B whilst continuing to do the work that I do.

£5,000 is a great deal of money, and I understand that there are so many more worthy causes that people can donate to, but a few of my Twitter followers have said that they would kindly donate if I set up a just giving/go fund me page which is why I have set the page up. I'm not expecting people to donate massess amounts of money because let's face it, we are all struggling at the moment, but even £2 would make all the difference.

£5,000 is the difference between:-

SODA

A £4 day save to meet that SODA who needs a chat and a coffee, getting there but not having the money for a coffee

Not having a venue, paper, printer or ink to facilitate the Freedom Programme, run that workshop or host that presentation

Having my internet cut off and not being able to run my online support group

Trying to find a free removal van or being able to pay for one to help that SODA move from refuge to their own home

Not doing that training programme or doing it and being able to provide a stronger support package for survivors of domestic abuse

Turning down the offer of speaking at that event where you have the opportunity to share your lived experience, knowing it would educate and empower others

Personal

It's the difference between ASDA or Aldi

It's the difference between paying bills or getting into debt

It's the difference between two outfits from Primark or H & M for Tegan

It's the difference between a bath or a shower

It's the difference a day saver but not having anything to do when we get to where we are going

The Charities Act 2006 requires that to become a registered charity you need to have an income of £5000, which is extremely difficult, and why I am taking the Community Interest Company route, it's like a charity but will less red tape. I am currently working with Dudley Council for Voluntary Service and we are working our way through the application form and everything that goes hand in hand with registering with Companies House.

I don't order takeaways, I don't have a TV subscription, I don't smoke, I don't drink, I don't drive, I don't have my nails done, I don't go to the hairdressess, I don't have a gym membership, I don't have meals out.

I just want to be the support I never had.