THE FUND
The Resilience Fund is central to our project and was the foundation from which this space grew.
As survivors without money, who had no financial help to support our recovery from trauma, we experienced first-hand the difficulties around meeting our basic needs at a time where this was most important.
Classism is rarely spoken about in the recovery and wellbeing word.
Access to free/subsided support or financial aid is scarce and you often have to “victimise” yourself and show you are “deserving” by disclosing your oppression, experience and vulnerabilities on lengthily forms which is very disempowering. It is particularly damaging when we, as survivors, can already feel unworthy and find it hard to accept help. This type of support also controls how you have to access the service, what you are allowed to ask for financial support for and give evidence of how you spend the money.
We decided what is desperately needed is an open fund that survivors could dip into to support anything that helps self-care and resilience, with no judgment or expectation. A fund that you can literally take out just ten pounds the same day to get some nice food, phone credit or a taxi to see a friend.
This is why we set up The Resilience Fund.
This fund provides support in the form of mini grants and mini loans. It is easy to access where anyone can apply via our simple, four question application form, request the amount they want and the money will go directly into their account.
Its aim is to enable survivors to choose how to build our own support to recover, meet our basic needs, afford actual treats and have the proper breaks that we deserve.
Support for survivors is limited and the well-being and recovery industry is built by and for those with money and privilege. Recovery shouldn’t be a luxury and self-care should be something we can all afford.
The Resilience Fund is not charity. It is mutual aid, solidarity, radical redistribution and love.
What kind of things is it for?
It is for the basics, for emergencies and for pleasure and fun!
Anything that will make you feel great, feel like a gift, give you a break or just make your day that bit easier because you fucking deserve it.
We do not determine what this means to you, it could be anything. Maybe you want to go to the cinema, buy some lavender oil, buy yourself some flowers or a plant, buy a bottle of prosecco, have a swim, buy a new pillow, get a takeaway, buy some great underwear, buy a sex toy, pay a nagging bill, go to a dance class, buy some herbal tinctures, get some phone credit, buy a massive cake, get a new book, take your friend for a coffee, buy some bath salts, get the bus, buy some art materials, go to a gig, cook for a friend or just for some extra cash in your pocket for a spontaneous treat. It is for anything that will give you a little bit of joy, time or relief to build and maintain your resilience.
There will be no judgement and no expectation to tell how you intend to spend the money.
Currently due to limited funds we only have £10/£15/£20 grants available but we hope to very soon offer larger amounts each month. This is so that people can afford things like a big food shop, travelling long distance, bigger bills, counselling, massage, acupuncture, or any other pricier support needs.
Who is it for?
It is for all survivors of any gender age or background. It is for Anyone who has experienced rape, sexual violence, sexual abuse or sexual assault of any kind regardless of how minor you may perceive it to be.
Never compare your trauma or “deservability” to others. You and your experience are valid. You do not have to identify with the term “survivor” as we are very aware it is a loaded word with many unhelpful connotations and assumptions attached to it.
You can also apply on behalf of someone else or nominate someone you think could do with a mini grant – simply email us and ask. We do this to be as inclusive as possible as for some of us the idea of asking for support for ourselves is difficult, particularly when we are taught constantly to compare ourselves, our experiences and our worth to others, and we don’t always have the tools to unlearn that immediately.
For further info about the fund or gifts and requests have a look at our FAQs
Apply for a mini grant now: here
