International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (Oct 17)

Today (Thursday October 17th) is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. It’s a day to raise awareness, eliminate shame and stigma, and signpost to support.

Poverty is “when a person’s resources are not sufficient to meet their minimum needs to participate in society” (Joseph Rowntree Foundation). This can mean a lack of physical or financial resources, including clothing, food, housing, and fuel or employment, benefits, and pension. It can also mean a lack of opportunity for participation in society, including missing out on social activities or a lack of a social network to help with childcare or household tasks.

Moray ranks 14th out of 32 council areas in Scotland (1st is the highest rates) for poverty levels. This is in part due to a lower average wage in the area than the Scottish average, meaning Moray is less resilient to the rising cost of living. Nearly a quarter of Moray’s children live in poverty. (Moray Council)

Poverty in Moray is often hidden, particularly due to the rural nature of the area. The Cost of Living crisis (increasing cost of food, fuel, and energy), lack of (accesible and affordable) resources in rural areas, and limited access to employment and higher wages means it’s harder to earn income, and harder to buy essentials (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation).

International Translation Day & International Day of Sign Languages 2024

This month it has been International Translation Day (30th September) and International Day of Sign Languages (23rd September).

We support anyone aged 11+ who have experienced/are experiencing sexual violence. We are committed to ensuring our service is accessible to everyone, including deaf/Deaf and hard of hearing people and those whose first language isn’t English. We understand that accessing support in your first language can help you feel able to come forward and ask for support and/or seek justice.

We offer a Polish language support service with our Polish-Speaking Therapeutic Support Worker, and can arrange for specialist online or phone support in Arabic and Mandarin from other Rape Crisis centres. For speakers of other languages we can arrange for translators and interpreters. 

We offer BSL interpreters for anyone who accesses the service for support. We have a dedicated support space for people with sensory disabilities. We can also make other accommodations that can enable you to access support and support recovery.

Also, on our website we have the Reciteme toolbar that offers translation tools and other reading aids. You can access this by clicking ‘Launch Reciteme’ at the top of the webpage. 

You are not alone. You deserve help and support. There are people who want to help.

World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th)

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. It’s a day to raise awareness, combat myths and misconceptions, and eliminate shame and stigma.

This year’s theme is ‘Start the Conversation’. It aims to promote conversation about suicide to reduce stigma and normalise suicidal thoughts and feelings. Many people will have suicidal thoughts/feelings and every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a supportive and understanding society.

Someone who has experienced sexual violence may also experience suicidal thoughts/feelings as a result of the violation they have experienced. Sexual violence is a traumatic event. Trauma can cause overwhelming feelings that may make you feel like you cannot cope any longer. It may be impossible to imagine life without this pain, and you may feel very alone. Feeling/thinking like this can be exhausting and can be very frightening. 

You are not alone. You deserve help and support. There are people who want to help.

Fundraising Events

Fancy a challenge? Keen to get more active? Looking to support a local charity?

Fundraise for us!

Fundraising will help towards the support of 200 survivors in Moray. Your support can change lives. As a small charity, all donations go towards helping to deliver our frontline services. 

There are lots of local and national events you could sign up for to fundraise in aid of us. You could run, cycle, swim, walk, or even make your own challenge!

Check out our (non-exhaustive) list: