SAND - Surviving Abuse Northern Devon cic

28/04/2026

Thankyou Mel B for speaking up 💜

26/04/2026

💜Survivor to Thriver 💜
Past trauma is something that all survivors have to live with. It is our birth right to live an optimum life .
💜Coming to terms with sexual violence is really tough.
💜Trying to live a normal life is certainly not easy.
💜Trying not to let the trauma change who you are can feel an impossibility.
💜Talking about your trauma to people who don’t understand what it feels like to be in your shoes can feel embarrassing and overwhelming .
💜Finding that support you need does NOT have to be something to worry about 💜
Here at SAND we believe every survivor has the right to be listened to.
Whether it’s a past trauma that you have tried to put to the back of your mind ; but unfortunately life still gives you triggers or you have recently been the victim of a sexual trauma and looking for somewhere to turn -SAND can and will offer you the support that you need.
Doing an online referral is easy and making that brave decision to ask for help can be life changing. Please visit our website https://www.survivingabuse.org.uk/ and make the first step in your recovery.
💜We all have the right to thrive NOT just survive💜

18/04/2026

April is sexual assault awareness month and we feel it's so important to highlight this.
Recently in the press, online and on social media there have been numerous stories about sexual violence and r**e.
These stories aren't easy reading and it's becoming more obvious that change needs to happen soon.
Social media defiently has it's uses but it is also really hard as a survivor to see and read about it.
But we believe sexual violence and r**e should be talked about. It's happening to so many men and women and it's so sad to think that we all know at least one person who has been a victim .
The statistics speak for themselves 1 in 4 women in the UK will experience a sexual assault in their lifetime. Behind every statistic is a real person. I am one of those statistics I am not a victim of r**e I am a survivor of r**e . You do not have to face this alone ♥️

Please reach out to SAND. Please make contact with us we will be there to listen and support you.
You are believed .You will not be judged. You will be supported.
♥️♥️

13/04/2026

“ I am not the victim of r**e I am a SURVIVOR of r**e “
Survivor is an empowering term often used by people who have been a victim of sexual violence .
Survivors focus on rebuilding life, processing trauma and healing.
It’s certainly not an easy process to go through and asking for help and support is such a brave step to take.
It’s nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about.
Having someone to talk to is so important you do not have to go through this alone.
SAND is here to support you.
Make that first brave step and please contact us we will not judge you… we will listen to you and support you ❤️
You do not have to face this alone ❤️

11/04/2026

Great work team Encompass Southwest ❤️🫶🏽❤️

Encompass Southwest in Barnstaple has been named as one of the winners in the prestigious GSK IMPACT Awards 2026, held in conjunction with The King’s Fund

08/04/2026

As an adult service, we are often approached by young people and families seeking support for those under 18. This highlights a very real need within our community.

While SAND currently specialises in supporting adults, we are beginning to build connections with local services and explore how we can offer safe, appropriate signposting for younger people.

This is the start of that journey.
We’re pleased to share that wellbeing support for ages 11–17 will be coming soon to Barnstaple Museum ♥️

06/04/2026

We hope that everyone is enjoying the long bank holiday Easter weekend we certainly have been lucky with the weather.
It’s pictures like this that remind me of the beautiful area that we live in and even in times of trauma peace can be found.
Please remember if anyone confides in you that they have been a victim of sexual violence please talk to them about SAND and the support which we offer. Or if you have been a victim and don’t know where to turn please contact us.
We will not judge you and we will listen to you and give you the support that you need ❤️
It can be so scary asking for help but you do not have to face this alone
SAND is here to support you❤️

01/04/2026

This is not easy reading but we believe these statistics should be shared.
Sexual violence is on the increase it's not just a problem in cities it's happening on your doorstep and as these figures show it's a very worrying times we are living in.
To think that we all probably know at least one person who has experienced sexual violence in the last 12 months is simply heartbreaking.
It's not until you read or become one of these statistics that you realise more needs to be done to prevent Women and Men going through this trauma.
Changes need to happen and soon .
we need to talk more openly about sexual violence .
We need to ensure survivors can access support when they need it.
We need to ensure that the government continues to offer funding to specialised sexual violence support groups.
We need to break the taboo on the word 'r**e'
We need to make sure that sexual violence is discussed more in schools.
We need to have more faith in the justice system - yes it's certainly not an easy process to go through but we can not let perpetrators get away with this.

and
We all need to learn what the word NO actually means.

Please remember SAND is here to support you ♥️
If you know someone who has come to you and told you they have been a victim of sexual violence please tell them about SAND. We will not judge you but we will listen and support you you do not have to go through this alone♥️

30/03/2026

It means so much that the vital work that SAND does in N Devon is being recognised . SAND offers specialised support to men and women who have experienced sexual violence .
We are so proud of the work we are doing .
Discussing the funding issues we face with Jess was so valuable to rural N Devon . Thank you Jess Phillips

Government safeguarding minister Jess Phillips was welcomed to North Devon by Ian Roome MP to meet charities including NDADA, Encompass and SAND

29/03/2026

Asking for help can seem so daunting, you may feel embarrassed by what has happened to you or worried that you may not be believed.
You may have a close friend who has confided in you recently about a recent or past sexual assault and doesn't know where to turn for help.
Being brave and making that first call to SAND certainly is not easy but we want you to know that we will not judge you, we will listen to you and we will offer you the support you need.
You do not have to face this alone SAND is here to support you♥️

SAND is a confidential, specialist counselling & support service for adults who have experienced historical or recent sexual abuse.

We offer specialist ther**eutic support at our central premises in Barnstaple. We have different payment bands which match your individual ability to pay. This is shown on our referral form.

Step 1
Being Brave – admitting to yourself that you need support. Completing the online referral. If you feel that immediate access and holding sessions are for you whilst you wait, then please Call 07763617693 or email: referrals@survivingabuse.org.uk . We will get these sessions set up for you. You will need to complete step 2 first.

Step 2
Making the time to complete the referral – we have made this process as easy as possible – allow 20 minutes. You will receive an email immediately with some information and with your unique SAND number. We take referrals directly from clients and encourage where necessary for your support worker or referring agency to be present with you.

Step 3
Referral is made. An achievement done. What now? Whilst you are on the waiting list you get access to immediate support via Holding Sessions and peer support.

https://www.survivingabuse.org.uk/

27/03/2026

Quite the moment. ✨

25/03/2026

Thankyou to the Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips for visiting SAND - Surviving Abuse Northern Devon cic today to discuss the funding issues that we are facing.
SAND offers vital support to survivors of sexual violence in North Devon and it was great to be able to discuss the issues we face with Jess today.
Funding is a huge part of SAND and with recent cuts it makes running SAND a real challenge but these challenges just makes us more determined to keep offering the support we do to survivors in North Devon.
This year is our 10 year anniversary and we of course have some exciting things planned which we look forward to sharing with you in the coming months.
Making that first contact for support is so important never feel like you have to face this alone ❤️