We’re delighted to share some uplifting news about one of our former trainee counsellors, Jess Gill, who will be representing the UK in the upcoming Miss Voluptuous International Pageant, taking place in the UK this October.

Jess volunteered with S.H.E. UK in 2020 as part of her counselling training. Now a qualified counsellor with her own private practice, Jess has chosen to support S.H.E. UK as her nominated charity for the competition.

As part of the pageant, each entrant selects a cause close to their heart to fundraise for, and Jess has chosen S.H.E. UK because of her personal connection to our work. Speaking about her decision, Jess shared:

“I really value the work S.H.E. does – it is so important. S.H.E. provides holistic services which are vital for survivors of trauma.”

Jess, who is also a singer, will be performing at local venues in Newark throughout the autumn to raise funds for S.H.E. UK. Her first gig has been confirmed at the YMCA Newark, which a lovely community venue, on 28th September around midday. 

Thanks to our involvement in the Big Give match funding campaign this October, all donations raised during that week will be doubles – meaning they will have double the impact, enabling us to continue to support survivors to move forward in their lives.  

The Miss Voluptuous International pageant celebrates empowerment, self-love, and body positivity. For Jess, it is about “celebrating her body with love and compassion” and breaking free from shame, while inspiring others to follow their goals.

We are proud to have Jess championing S.H.E. UK on an international stage, and we are deeply grateful for her support.

You can follow Jess’s journey on Instagram: @jess_curve_uk

Please Support Us

💙 To learn more about supporting S.H.E. UK, please visit: https://www.she-uk.org.uk/support-us/

At S.H.E. UK, supporting mental health isn’t just part of the work we do with survivors, it’s something we actively nurture within our team too. That’s why we’re proud to share that five members of our team have recently completed Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, equipping them with the tools to support mental wellbeing in the workplace and beyond.

This training enables our team to:
- Spot the early signs of mental health challenges
- Offer immediate, non-judgemental support
- Signpost individuals to the right professional help
- Champion open, honest conversations about mental health

Mental health support is vital, especially in an environment where we are working with individuals who have experienced trauma. Being able to look after each other as a team is essential to sustaining the work we do.

In addition to the five team members who are now MHFA trained, Rachael and Lisa will also be undertaking full MHFA accreditation, ensuring we have even more experienced mental health advocates across the organisation.

We’ve also taken steps to ensure everyone in our space knows support is available. Posters are being displayed throughout the building to remind staff, volunteers, and visitors that it’s okay to speak up, and that we’re here to listen.

This training is just one part of our wider commitment to wellbeing, resilience, and trauma-informed practice, for our clients, our staff, and our wider community.

💙 If you or someone you know is struggling, please don’t stay silent. Talk to someone.

We’re incredibly grateful to share that Rothera Bray Solicitors recently presented S.H.E. UK with a cheque for £953, generously donated from an unclaimed deceased estate.

While this donation came as a surprise, it is a meaningful reminder of a lesser-known process in the legal world: when someone passes away and no beneficiaries can be traced, under requirements set by Solicitors Regulation Authority, the remaining funds in their estate must, after a certain period, be donated to a charitable organisation.

This process is not unique to Rothera Bray - all solicitors are legally obliged to follow this protocol when handling unclaimed estates.

Supporting Survivors, Thanks to Kindness

This unexpected gift will help us continue to provide long-term, person-centred support to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and sexual violence. The support we offer includes counselling, peer-led groups, and community advocacy.

Rothera Bray offers a range of legal services – including providing legal support for victims of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, advising survivors on their legal options whilst considering a claim for compensation. We extend our warmest thanks to Rothera Bray Solicitors for their thoughtful decision to direct these funds to S.H.E. UK, and for recognising the importance of our work in supporting survivors on their healing journey.

A Call to Other Solicitors

If you or your firm are managing unclaimed estates that are eligible for charitable distribution, we would be honoured to be considered as a recipient. Donations like this help us reach more survivors and strengthen our services across Nottinghamshire and beyond.

💙 To learn more about supporting S.H.E. UK, please visit: https://www.she-uk.org.uk/support-us/

Pictured L-R: Seetal Patel (Solicitor), Marie Walls (Business Development & Marketing Director) from Rothera Bray and Lisa Lenton (CEO), Rachael Cumberland (Operations Manager) from S.H.E. UK

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Farrell to the Board of Trustees at S.H.E. UK as our new Treasurer. Anna brings a powerful combination of experience in financial management, risk oversight, and organisational governance, making her a valuable addition to the strategic leadership of the charity.

Anna currently works as a Transformation Analyst in the Insurance sector, where she supports major change initiatives with a focus on financial discipline and operational improvement. With a background in psychology and several years of experience in Portfolio Management Office roles, Anna combines analytical and organisational skills with a deep interest in mental health and long-term support systems.

Anna shared her motivation for joining the Board:

“I was drawn to S.H.E. UK because of its commitment to person-centred, long-term support for survivors. With a background in psychology and experience in financial governance, I’m excited to bring my experience to support and contribute to such vital and impactful work.”

Outside of work, Anna is a keen triathlete, finding balance through training and enjoying the outdoors after long days in the office.

Reena Pastakia, Chair of the Board of Trustees, welcomed the appointment:

“We are delighted to welcome Anna to the Board as our new Treasurer. Her financial expertise and passion for mental health align strongly with our mission, and we are confident she will be a fantastic asset in helping us maintain and grow our support for survivors.”

Anna’s appointment strengthens S.H.E. UK’s governance and finance capabilities as we continue to expand and enhance our support services.

💙 To support our work and help us provide life-changing support to survivors, consider donating today: https://localgiving.org/charity/she-uk

We are delighted to share some fantastic news—our contract with the Police and Crime Commissioner, which was due to expire in March, has been renewed for at least another year. This renewal ensures that we can continue providing vital outreach therapy services in Bassetlaw, supporting those in need within the community. The funding also contributes to our SHE-roes Lounge and Peer group, supporting women from across the county – to build confidence, reduce isolation and create healthy connections.

This extension is a testament to the importance of the services we provide and the positive impact they have had in Bassetlaw and the wider county. It allows us to maintain continuity for our clients, ensuring they continue to receive support and empowerment to move forward on their healing journey.

“We are thrilled by this decision,” said Chief Executive Officer for S.H.E. UK, Lisa Lenton. “The renewal of this contract means we can carry on delivering essential therapy services to some of the most vulnerable and isolated members of our community. It’s a crucial step in ensuring no one is left without the help they need.”

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Angela Kandola leads on the Violence Against Women and Girls agenda on behalf of Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden.

She said: “We are delighted to extend the contract with S.H.E. UK, which will allow them to continue providing invaluable support to survivors of sexual abuse and sexual violence in Bassetlaw.

“Supporting survivors is a fundamental pillar of our VAWG strategy in Nottinghamshire, and the service S.H.E. UK provides is helping deliver that aim and to make Nottinghamshire safer for all.”

We are grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner for their continued belief in our work and the opportunity to serve the Bassetlaw community.

Help Us Expand Our Reach
While this contract renewal is wonderful news, the demand for our outreach therapy services continues to grow. With your support, we can extend these vital services even further. Donate today to help us make a bigger impact and bring hope to even more people in need.

https://localgiving.org/charity/she-uk

We look forward to continuing this vital work and sharing more updates in the months to come. Thank you for your ongoing support!

Pictured (L-R): Angela Kandola (Deputy Police & Crime Commissioner), Lisa Lenton (CEO, S.H.E. UK), Rachael Cumberland (Operations Manager, S.H.E. UK), Briony Verma (VAWG Commissioning Officer, OPCC for Nottinghamshire)

We’re incredibly proud to share that Lisa Lenton, CEO of S.H.E. UK, has been invited to speak at the two-day  ROSA Summer Conference taking place online next Tuesday, 17th and Wednesday, 18^th June 2025.

Presenting on Tuesday 17^th June, Lisa will be joining a panel of leaders and changemakers from across the UK to discuss the importance of specialist services supporting women and girls and some of the issues women and girls face.

Lisa will be talking alongside a number of powerful speakers, sharing her thoughts on the power of peer support within S.H.E. UK and the importance of raising the profile of childhood sexual abuse within our community.

Lisa’s inclusion in this national platform is not only a reflection of her leadership but also a recognition of the impact S.H.E. UK continues to have in the lives of survivors.

Stay tuned. We’ll be sharing highlights from the conference soon!

💙 To support our work and help us provide life-changing support to survivors, consider donating today: https://www.she-uk.org.uk/support-us/

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mila Evanics and Corinna Del Debbio to the Board of Trustees at S.H.E. UK. Both Mila and Corinna bring a wealth of experience and passion for supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse and sexual violence, further strengthening the strategic leadership of the organisation as we continue to grow and evolve.

Mila Evanics is a strategy analysis and impact expert with a strong background in supporting the charity sector through insights-driven decision-making. She has worked with leading organisations including FareShare, the Royal College of Nursing, The Challenge Network, and Pilotlight to enhance their effectiveness and reach. Mila currently serves as Head of Insight and Analytics at Greenpeace.

In 2022, Mila began studying counselling and psychotherapy, which deepened her understanding of therapeutic approaches. Mila shared her motivation for joining S.H.E. UK, “I was particularly drawn to S.H.E. UK’s vital mission of empowering survivors of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation, and I am passionate about the transformative role that long-form therapeutic practice plays in recovery and resilience.”

Outside of her professional work, Mila enjoys baking and tackling the challenges of her garden.

Corinna Del Debbio brings extensive experience in fundraising and corporate partnerships within the third sector. She has previously worked with impactful organisations such as Enough is Enough - a campaign running consent workshops across university campuses - and Our Streets Now, which tackles public sexual harassment. Corinna is currently a Corporate Partnerships Manager and joined S.H.E. UK as a trustee in January 2025 to strengthen the charity’s fundraising efforts and contribute her expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Corinna expressed her enthusiasm for the role, “I quickly became extremely passionate about S.H.E. UK’s work after learning about the charity through their engagement with Pilotlight. As a Trustee, I am excited to bring my fundraising and DEI experience to the organisation and help strengthen its capacity to support survivors.”

In her spare time, Corinna loves to be outdoors, whether running or hiking, or cooking good food at home.

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A Warm Welcome from the Chair of the Board

Reena Pastakia, Chair of the Board of Trustees at S.H.E. UK, welcomed the new appointments, “We are thrilled to welcome Mila and Corinna to the Board of Trustees. Their combined expertise in strategy, fundraising, and impact evaluation will bring immense value to S.H.E. UK. Both share a deep commitment to supporting survivors and driving meaningful change, and we are excited about the contributions they will make to the future of the charity.”

Mila and Corinna’s appointments mark an exciting step forward for S.H.E. UK as we continue to expand our services and strengthen our impact in supporting survivors on their healing journey.

💙 To support our work and help us provide life-changing support to survivors, consider donating today: https://www.she-uk.org.uk/support-us/

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that S.H.E. UK has been selected as a finalist for the Mansfield & Ashfield Business Network’s Charity of the Year award! This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and impact of our team, volunteers, and supporters, who make it possible for us to provide vital services to survivors of childhood sexual abuse and sexual violence.

This isn’t the first time we’ve been finalists. We have reached this stage before but didn’t take home the award. Could this be our year? 🤞

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Why This Matters

Being recognised by the Mansfield & Ashfield Business Network is an incredible opportunity to raise awareness of our work and the life-changing support we provide. Every day, we see the strength of survivors as they heal, grow, and reclaim their futures. This nomination shines a spotlight on the importance of specialist services like ours and the need for ongoing support in our community.

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What Happens Next?

The winner will be announced soon, and we’re keeping everything crossed! No matter the outcome, being named a finalist is an honour in itself, and we are so proud to stand alongside other amazing local charities making a difference.

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How You Can Support Us

As a small charity, we rely on the generosity of grants, fundraising, and donations to continue our essential work. It costs £250,000 a year to keep our services running, and every contribution helps us support more survivors on their healing journey.

💙 If you’d like to support us, you can donate here: https://localgiving.org/charity/she-uk 

A huge thank you to our team, clients, and supporters—this nomination is for all of us. We’ll keep you updated, and in the meantime, wish us luck! 🏆✨