As of today, we’ve launched a new Regular Giving scheme: Friends of Basis!
Pledging a monthly gift helps us to deliver a service for women and young people that is responsive and meets a direct need. These services are varied, invaluable and in many cases life-changing; a monthly donation gives us flexibility and offers a bridge from crisis to longer term support, such as help with housing, navigating the justice system, getting a warm meal, or accessing our specialist support around sexual violence and/or exploitation.
For example, Mary first met Basis through our street outreach service. She told us “you showed me you cared about what I was going through, no matter how many times I was angry when things went against me, you were there for me.”
Through meeting Basis on outreach, Mary was assigned a case worker for intensive support. We supported her through a very difficult period in her life, where she was sexually assaulted on multiple occasions and attending hospital to address physical health concerns.
She came to our drop in and developed friendships with peers, making her feel less isolated. She told us “if I wasn’t here [at drop in] I’d just be using [drugs]”.
By the end of her support with us, she held a stable tenancy, completed the rehab program and had re-established a positive relationship with her family. She also started becoming involved in advocating for the needs of women with those in authority.
“It’s been a rough ride, but Basis saved my life. I’m eternally grateful for the huge help and love shown and given to me. Basis save lives, help children see their mums again and give back their daughters to their mothers.”
Tragically, Mary’s story doesn’t have a happy ending. The many years of abuse and hardship had taken their toll and she has now very sadly passed away. However, this doesn’t take away from the amazing progress she made and her enduring positivity remains an inspiration to many she knew. Mary also reminds us how resilient and strong the women we support are, and emphasizes the need to provide support early on to prevent women and young people’s stories ending like Mary’s.
We need your support to offer our services to people like Mary, as well as provide earlier intervention to avoid women and young people dying prematurely. Your donation will directly help us achieve this:
£5 per month pays for 2 warm meals
£10 per month pays for 2 bus passes or 3 safety alarms
£20 per month pays for a mobile phone
£50 per month funds 1 drop in session
As a Friend of Basis, you will get an exclusive bi-annual Friends newsletter, a welcome pack and most importantly, the feeling of knowing you’re making a difference to the lives of hundreds of women and young people.
To become a Friend, please visit our dedicated Friends page.