Survive is a York based voluntary organisation that initially worked with adult women survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Our services are offered to people in the York and in the North Yorkshire area. We have been in existence since 1990 and until 1995 operated as a collective, with services run entirely by volunteers. Given the demand for Survive's services in the York and North Yorkshire area, funding was sought to enable the creation of paid posts within the organisation. Two part-time workers were employed in October 1995 to develop the work of Survive. These were a Counselling Co-ordinator and a Frontline Co-ordinator. Later we were able to employ administrative support also.

The appointment of paid staff and the need to expand Survive's services led to a period of considerable change. The organisation has moved from a self-help collective towards a more structured management framework, with Trustees now responsible for all budget, finance, funding and legal decisions. In 1997 Survive became a Limited Company with Registered Charity status In October 2002 the membership of Survive unanimously agreed to change the aims of the organisation to include male survivors. This was a major change in direction for Survive. A steering group has been formed to look into the ways which we can provide services for both men and women.

Last Updated:August 2010