DRASACS Scoops £250,000 Funding Win from the Big Lottery

Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (DRASACS) has been awarded almost £250,000 from the Big Lottery ‘Reaching Communities’ fund.

DRASACS submitted an outline proposal back in February and received news that their bid had been successful at the end of October.

Explains Becca Pearson, funding officer at DRASACS:

“I was absolutely delighted to receive such a positive response to our bid from the BIG Lottery and couldn’t wait to share the news with the team here and our board members!

“This funding is vital to secure the future of the organisation because, as a registered charity, we rely on organisations such as the Big Lottery and charitable donations.”

The £250,000 awarded to DRASACS will be split over three years and will enable the charity to continue to employ one full-time counsellor and one part-time counselor as well as recruiting a new part-time counsellor. Continues Becca:

“The fact that we can secure the employment of our counsellors for another three years is a huge benefit to our clients. And the fact we can recruit an additional part-time counsellor will help us to further reduce our waiting list and, ultimately, support even more local people who have suffered rape or sexual abuse.”

Concludes Vanessa White, Big Lottery Fund’s Head of Yorkshire and Humber Region:

“DRASACS provide a vital listening ear, support and understanding to vulnerable and often isolated victims of rape and sexual assault in the Doncaster area. The work of this group is literally life changing.”

Rosie Winterton MP Officially Opens New £40,000 Facilities

Rosie Winterton MP officially opened the new £40,000 facilities at Doncaster Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service (DRASACS) in September.

Over 50 local dignitaries, funders such as Doncaster Council, Rotherham, Doncaster & South Humber NHS Foundation Trust, private sector businesses, representatives from South Yorkshire Police and third sector organisations attended an open afternoon to see the transformation of the charity’s previously undeveloped basement area in its Doncaster town centre premises.

The new facilities include a purpose-built creative and play therapy room, which will be used by adults and children alike, a group therapy / meeting room and waiting room for parents, relatives or carers of clients who need support to attend their sessions.

Explains the manager at DRASACS:

“Clients often find it difficult to talk about their experiences or choose the right words to express how they feel. Creative therapy involves the use of craft materials and imagery to help clients in the therapeutic process.

“Play therapy is used with younger children, from the age of seven, and allows the therapist and child to reflect on feelings being expressed as the child plays. The room also features a beach and forest scene mural painted by local solicitor and DRASACS trustee, David Lister, and a real sand beach with specialist sand play toys.”

Commenting on the new facilities, Rosie Winterton MP, said:

“Charities such as DRASACS play an important role in our community and it is essential that they should be given the support and help they need in order to offer their services.”

Concludes the manager:

“It’s been fantastic to welcome so many people to DRASACS and explain exactly what we’re doing to support those who have suffered rape or sexual abuse. We now have even more space to help even more local people and I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to all of our funders who have made this possible including Coalfields Regeneration Trust, St James’s Place, Hallam FM / Magic AM ‘Cash for Kids’ and our long term supporters, Rejus, who completed the redevelopment work at cost.”

Pictures by Sean Flannery Photography.