A charity that’s been at heart of EK for 10 years
NICOLA FINDLAY
A charity created to help childhood survivors of sexual abuse and their families is marking 10 years at the heart of the East Kilbride community.
SAVI (Sexual Assault Victims Initiative) was the brainchild of counsellor Annmarie Campbell after her daughter, Nicole, was raped in 2014 – aged just 14.
Determined to help families struggling to deal with the trauma of abuse, she set up a counselling and support service for young people and their loved ones.
And – despite some setbacks along the way – the organisation has now grown beyond what Annmarie could have ever imagined.
Speaking to the News this week, she said: “Without the people of East Kilbride we would not be where we are today.
“They are the ones who have kept us going through the hard times.”
Annmarie’s efforts blossomed from a counselling and support service to a full-blown registered charity, overseeing the creation of a wellbeing hub for abuse victims.
With that, the charity has partnered with a number of organisations, including Macmillan Cancer Support, to offer additional services and referrals.
The organisation – based at Strathmore House in East Kilbride town centre – offers alternative therapies, support groups and classes free for children and families affected by cancer – as well as helping those who endured childhood trauma and abuse.
Annmarie also recently launched a Share Alike project which runs a community wardrobe, community fridge and small foodbank.
That’s as well as offering a free brunch club three times a week to combat loneliness and poverty.
She added: “Overall our project has changed and grown through necessity.
“That’s because of how we are financed and through the needs of the community around us.
“But no one has ever taken a wage from our project we have always run with volunteers and the support of our local community.
“Every step of the way we have been supported and encouraged by our community and have been there for them at their time of need.
“But we are still looking for more volunteers and for local business to support us through sponsorship of some kind.”
A key turning point for the evolution of the charity was a meeting in June 2009 that led to an appeal for volunteers and the creation of a committee.
Annmarie said right from the beginning it was clear there was a “real need” for the support services, and by December 2009 they were granted charity status.
SAVI was then given an award from EK Crime Prevention Panel for their work in the community – one of many achievements for the charity.
On more than one occasion they received recognition in the Scottish Parliament for their “vital work,” with Annmarie and daughter Nicole helping to shape national policy on the legal process for child witnesses, even speaking to the Lord Advocate.
To find out more about what the charity does and how you can help, head to savionline.webs.com/ find them on Facebook.