Ten o'clock had just handed over to eleven when I got home. Stripped down to my birth suit, I tossed all my clothing in the washing machine on a thirty-degree cycle. The shoes went in the bin. And I stood under the steaming hot shower, trying to wash away the night. Nothing on towards, given it was New Year's Eve.
But I wasn't out celebrating with family or friends whose social media feed is now updated with all the fun and frolic from last night. I had no kissing-champagne-glasses photo to share. No fireworks redecorated my night sky. No singing of Auld Lang Syne as the old year handed over to the new.
There is no affiliation with any of the charities or organisations mentioned. Neither is this an Ad or sponsored post.
As a matter of fact, I don't know when that happened. None of the women at the safe house I'd just left cared it was another year, only that they survived. And the old year went out somewhere between the rotating services carried out across the safe house to keep the guests (women who had survived all types of domestic abuse and escaped) safe and comfortable. The new year was already eight hours on duty when we left the safe house. And I, I didn't care either.
That year, my friend and I had agreed to volunteer over Christmas or New Year. And we chose to volunteer for women who'd been victims of abuse.
Their stories, told, gave me lumps in my throat. Their faces, pictures painted over with countless brushes of pain and torture.
Now, at home, I eased under the duvet to make up for that all-nighter, grateful for my bed's familiarity and the safety of my space. As I drifted off my girlfriend texted,' Shall we do this again this Christmas?'
'Yes.' I texted back.
It wasn't our first experience volunteering but our first at this time of the year. And too, our first encounter with this vulnerable community. Our first in a safe house. We met volunteers who had been offering their time and service for as long as they could remember. For the last five years, one volunteer has been travelling from France just to volunteer with the charity for such a vital cause.
The holiday season is often shown as a time filled with joy, warmth, and togetherness. Yet, for victims and their families, togetherness is the furthest from their reality. Limited access to supportive friends and colleague networks leaves them even more vulnerable, controlled and isolated. This time of year starkly underlines their traumas of living with domestic abuse of any kind, increasing the demand for refuges and the services provided.
Finding the Right Charity to Volunteer With
Now how do you effectively choose the right charity to volunteer with?
There's word of mouth, recommendation from a friend or colleague. You may have a strong connection or interest in people of certain backgrounds, beliefs or values. You may have skills such as effective communication, problem solving, empathy and compassion that are beneficial to these charities and organisations.
We'd answered Crisis' call for Christmas Volunteers that year. Solace Women's Aid on the other hand offers long-term, year-round positions volunteering. Why not get involved by offering your support.
Refuge is one of the largest UK domestic abuse organisations for women and children and regularly need volunteers on their helpline. Women's Aid, another renowned charity offers huge support to vulnerable women. Women's Aid, in particular, provides extensive training programs annually for new volunteers.
At a National level, organisations such as the National Domestic Abuse Helpline and Safe Lifes will work alongside organisations nationwide, 'transforming the response to domestic abuse at local, national and societal levels.'
Along with charities offering shelter/a safety net for victims, there are organisations such as Greater Good Charities' GOODS Program, whose focus is ensuring survivors and vulnerable communities have access to essential resources. Volunteering to help distribute care packages filled with toiletries, warm blankets and food can significantly impact victims' lives.
Your Contribution Impacts Change on a Woman's Life
With the contribution of your volunteer hours and skills, these charities can continue offering vital support to survivors. Improve a woman's physical survival. Increase their self-worth and esteem and too, continue with their dedication towards ending domestic abuse.
If volunteering hours are not an option, here is a list of charities working with domestic violence that I'm sure will welcome your donation at this time.
Safe Horizon
House of Ruth
Doorways for Women and Families
Or maybe you'd prefer to set up an ongoing contribution.
Inspired?
Encourage others, friends and family to take part. Would your employer or company like to dedicate some time to volunteering? Build a long-term partnership with organisations offering support to women who have been through this experience? Find supporting organisations in your local or regional area and decide how your team can be involved. Partnerships, sponsorships, Charity of the Year are ways corporations and charitable organisations could work together.
I'd previously worked for a company that, via Payroll Giving, donated from my salary to the supported charity of choice every month. Easy to set up and demonstrates the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility.
I wrote this post not simply because I love to write but to highlight this mindful gift. The gift of volunteering which is a wonderful thing to do but also to underscore the significance of how your time, energy, donation makes a difference to another's life. And as we embrace the spirit of giving, I want to highlight these vital causes and inspire collective action to support these charities.
If you've ever wondered how you can give back and make a difference, I promise you'll see it in the small smiles you bring about in those you help.
We need more of us giving back. Let's Help Make A Difference to a Woman's Life over The Holidays.
