Funding will help adult survivors of sexual violence rebuild their lives

Survive, a specialist charity that helps survivors of sexual violence rebuild their lives, has been awarded £6,000 from the Shepherd Group Community Support Fund to further its work. Survive offers specialist trauma-informed support work and counselling to adult survivors of rape, sexual assault and child sexual abuse across the City of York and North Yorkshire.

Says CEO Mags Godderidge: “We have three Portakabin employees volunteering with Survive and are thrilled that their employer has chosen to support us in this way. Last year, we supported 668 survivors – the busiest year in our 30-year history – this was a 23% increase on the number supported in the previous 12-months and a staggering 300% increase on the number supported just six years ago. Sadly, the demand for our services shows no signs of abating. This funding will help us help more survivors rebuild their lives, relationships and reach their potential”.

The Shepherd Group Community Support Fund donates to causes on behalf of its flagship business Portakabin and is part of the group’s responsible business initiative that directs resources to support people and organisations not only in York and the wider Yorkshire area but also throughout the UK and Ireland. Support is directed towards worthy causes where it can have a tangible impact and is weighted towards initiatives which have a direct impact on the communities the company operates in such as homelessness, mental health and addiction, medical research, hospitals and hospices, education and training, family business initiatives, the arts and sport.

Dan Ibbetson, CEO of Shepherd Group and Portakabin said: “Making an impact locally is just as important to us as engaging with charitable organisations on a national scale. Survive delivers incredible support to the people of York. Not only that but we have colleagues who donate their time and energy to selflessly support them in the work they do. We’re honoured to be able to be part of that story.”