SAND - Surviving Abuse Northern Devon cic

20/03/2026

Glorious day today to officially mark the start of spring.
With the lighter evenings and warmer days we just want you to remind you that SAND is here to support you .
Making that first contact for support is so important.
You don’t have to face this alone ❤️

16/03/2026

Make sure you pop down to Braunton Parish hall on 28 th March SAND will be there !!! please come over and say hello.

Mind Body Soul Braunton

15/03/2026

This Mother’s Day we honour the strength and courage of mums who are surviving abuse. 💜

At SAND, we recognise the resilience it takes to protect your children and rebuild your life. To every mum on this journey — we are here to support you, and you are not alone.

08/03/2026

Today we celebrate the strength, courage and resilience of women everywhere. 💜

This International Women’s Day, we honour every survivor and stand together to support, uplift and empower women across North Devon.

You are strong. You are heard. You are not alone.

SAND is here to support you

💜

06/03/2026

Have you been a victim of sexual violence?
Have you needed someone to talk to but don't know where to turn too?
Have you felt ashamed or embarrassed by what happened to you?
Have you blamed yourself for what happened to you?
Have you had a past experience of sexual violence and tried to live a normal life and never addressed the triggers you are living with?
Do you know someone who has experienced sexual violence and has come to you for help?
Sexual violence can happen to anyone it's thought that 1 in 3 women will experience sexual violence in their lives.
Making the decision to ask for help isn't easy but here at SAND we are here to help you.
If you answered yes to any of the above questions and looking for support please contact us via
referrals@survivingabuse.org.uk .
YOU ARE NOT ALONE❤️

05/03/2026

Wonderful Women of North Devon... 👀😘

Are You Ready For This IWD Weekender? 🤩😍

02/03/2026

🧡 NO MORE WEEK 2026 🧡

This week, we stand together to say NO MORE to domestic and sexual abuse.

No More Week is a time to raise our voices, support survivors, and commit to building safer communities for everyone. Abuse thrives in silence and together, we break that silence.

Whether it’s sharing resources, checking in on a friend, educating yourself, or advocating for change: every action matters.

This movement, led by NO MORE, reminds us that prevention is possible and that we all have a role to play.

📢 Speak up.
🤝 Support survivors.
🧡 Learn the signs.
Be part of the solution.

Because together, we say: NO MORE.

28/02/2026

Do North Devon's Wonderful Women Deserve Just A Day A Year 🤔

This International Women's Day, Lets Change That, Forever...

Be part of our new collaborative women's concept- Ready-Set-GLOW! A year-round celebration of all things femme ❤

😌 Come Chill- Get Involved- Bring Friends- Allies Welcome 🥰🥳

Lots more to follow IWD, as a part of our wider calendar of events and experiences 😌

See more... https://www.facebook.com/events/1990480565181027

15/02/2026

Valentine's day through the eyes of a survivor♥️
I wanted to do an honest post after Valentine's day through my eyes as a survivor and the feelings that I have. I am sharing my thoughts just to let other survivors you are not alone.
Just nipped to Tesco on this dull damp day and noticed all the flowers reduced after they hadn't been bought.
Valentine's day has become so commercial yes don't get me wrong it's lovely idea and it's only recently after my sexual assault that my feelings on it have changed.
In supermarkets, on TV and on social media we see posts showing the what we think are the perfect couple yet alot of Sexual violence happens behind closed doors... Are the relationships we see so perfect in real life.
My sexual assault happened after I put my trust in someone. I never dreamt that that person would take the control of my body away from me despite repeatedly saying no.
Seeing all the hype around valentine's day really gets me thinking.... Will I ever be able to put my trust in someone again and be able to have a loving and trusting relationship.
These thoughts aren't easy to process of course I want to find someone who loves me for who I am but how do you even go about telling a new partner in the future that my life is complicated, in the future I may have to go to court to prove my sexual assault how do you even start that conversation.
With the lengthy court process and police advising just try and lead a ' normal life ' survivors are unable to lead a normal life, of course we try to but it's always there and if I'm totally honest with you and myself I do wonder if I will come to terms with it, I don't think I honestly I will. Yes I have learnt coping techniques when I get triggers when I least expect them but my trust in people has gone and I long for the day I can build that trust back up.
Please don't think I am being bitter about valentine's day it's lovely seeing people trying to decide on the right flowers to buy,walking hand in hand on a romantic walk or eating out in their favourite restaurant and of course everyone wants to be loved and feel safe with their partner.
But for survivors of Sexual violence it's really tough I am not jealous of seeing other romantics it just gets me thinking will I ever have that again.
Please remember that SAND is here to help and guide you like they have me. Talking to my councillor recently I bought up the subject of not wanting to feel like I have failed in life but it's not until we looked at the positives my sexual assault has bought me ( yes there can be positives) that I realised that maybe I just had to go through a different gate and take a different path that I thought I was originally on.
I hope you don't mind me sharing these thoughts with you but I feel it's so important to talk openly about r**e and Sexual violence and I want other survivors to know that you aren't alone ♥️

06/02/2026

There are some fantastic workshops available in the coming weeks.
Please see info below.

04/02/2026

A series of free workshops for women are taking place in Barnstaple throughout February as the Flourishing Women programme continues.

The Flourishing Women Workshops are a series of one-off introductory empowerment sessions designed to support strength, creativity and connection. The events, which will be held at Barnstaple Library, are taking place in support of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week (2-8 February 2026) and have been curated from feedback from people with lived experiences of domestic and sexual violence.

While the workshops will not cover domestic or sexual violence, trained emotional first aid support will be available at every session.

The programme of workshops is:
Manage Stress and Emotional Upset with EFT, with Jacqui Footman
Thursday 5 February, 11am to 1pm, Barnstaple Library

Women's self-defence training, with Jason Ashton and Debbie Okeefe (Zen Waters CIC)
Tuesday 10 February 10am to 1pm, Barnstaple Library

Reclaiming the power of your voice, with Jenevora Williams
Saturday 14 February, 10.30am to 2.30pm, Barnstaple Library

Follow the link in the comments for more information