This year, on 4th July, members from across the South Coast construction industry are taking on the national three peaks challenge to raise money one peak at a time for our chosen charity:

START (sexual trauma and abuse restoration therapy) and The Saints Foundation. (This is a joint fundraising page on behalf of all participants)

START is a Hampshire based charity (community first), providing confidential support and counselling for those affected by sexual abuse or assault, helping survivors heal and rebuild their lives. The charity, like so many others, help survivors of sexual abuse and rape. Sexual abuse is far more prevalent than many people realise, affecting individuals from all walks of life and leaving lasting trauma that can take years to process. In England and Wales alone, an estimated 1 in 6 adults (10.4 million people) have experienced some form of sexual abuse before the age of 16 (ONS, 2020). Disturbingly, only around 1 in 6 victims ever report their experiences to the police (CSEW, 2022), meaning the true scale of abuse remains largely hidden. The impact is profound - survivors often struggle with shame, isolation, and mental health challenges, feeling as though they must suffer in silence. However, by breaking the silence and raising awareness, we can begin to dismantle the stigma surrounding sexual abuse, ensuring that survivors feel heard, supported, and empowered to seek help.

This charity is a personal charity to one of our organisers, Katerina Spaull, who is a survivor of childhood rape and sexual abuse. Having been abused between the ages of 4 to 17 by her uncles, Katerina had spent many years feeling ashamed and alone. That shame and trauma manifested itself into years of mental health issues. In her mid twenties, she reached out for help and was referred to START, where the charity offered counselling and a residential programme. The Lotus programme brings together individual counselling, group-work and specialist workshops under the umbrella of an intensive, interactive and integrated programme of residential therapeutic support. Set within a safe and confidential environment, the Lotus programme aims to provide the opportunity to look at Childhood Sexual Abuse and the consequences of the trauma it has caused and how this influences adulthood.

Unfortunately, due to funding limitations and funding cuts to their service, they are no longer able to offer Lotus at this time and the residential programme is suspended. They will be revisiting this suspension when and if further specific funding for Lotus can be identified.

Our hope is to raise awareness of the help that survivors can receive, and to raise funds to help START continue the essential work they are doing. By sharing Katerina's story, we hope to show survivors that they are believed, that there is nothing to be ashamed of, that there is help out there and that they are not alone ♡❤︎

We’re excited to take on this challenge and need YOU to join us! Whether you want to sign up, donate, or simply show your support, every action helps make a real difference.

The Saints Foundation offer life-changing opportunities to support local people in need and strengthen our community, by delivering projects that respond to the ever-evolving needs to the people of the city. They work across five key focuses – Health, Education, Gender Equality, Employability, and Pathways. Delivering 15 projects in total across all age ranges, supporting around 6,000 beneficiaries. They are the official charity of Southampton Football Club.

 

Here are just some of the ways they support our community:

⭐️ Supporting local primary, secondary, and SEN schools

⭐️ Helping young people get into the world of employment

⭐️ Providing social spaces for older citizens to enjoy light exercise and to prevent isolation

⭐️ Helping citizens who have had a fall at home or in the community build their strength, recovery techniques and confidence

⭐️ Helping young offenders or those at risk of offending make positive changes

⭐️ Providing group workshops for young women & girls to gain leadership skills and boost aspirations