A local coffee campaign is serving up support for domestic abuse survivors with every cup for White Ribbon Day

At The Dash Charity, safer lives can start over a cup of coffee, and so one local Windsor business is fundraising to help local people experiencing domestic abuse to feel safer and supported by us.

For many of Dash’s clients, support with domestic abuse takes place in a safe public coffee shop with one of their trained advocates.

Local independent retailer Craft Coop in Windsor Yards, which has branches across Berkshire, selected Dash as their charity of the year earlier in 2023 and has been busy fundraising to support us ever since.

A small white tree has been set up in store to mark White Ribbon Day on 25 November, which is an international awareness day for violence against women and girls.

Local Councillors Catherine Del Campo and Amy Tisi visited Craft Coop to show their support for Dash and the campaign.

Craft Coop Windsor’s manager Sue Strange said: “This White Ribbon Day, we’re helping Dash to give hope over every cup of coffee. We’ll donate all the money to Dash that is raised this week by customers who buy a coffee cup decoration to hang on our white tree in store.”

We’re proud to be helping fuel Dash’s support for domestic abuse survivors this winter.”

Sue Strange, Craft Coop

White Ribbon Day is a global campaign that calls on individuals, communities, and organisations to take a stand against violence targeting women and girls. White Ribbon Day takes place on 25 November and marks the beginning of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” a global UN campaign that runs until December 10th, International Human Rights Day.

Domestic abuse and its effects can be destructive, yet it remains an issue which is hidden, stigmatised and one which makes for uncomfortable conversation. Locally, there were 56,000 reported incidents of domestic abuse to Thames Valley Police in the last 12 months; it’s likely to be the tip of the iceberg, yet numbers continue to rise year-on-year.

We are the domestic abuse advice and advocacy service commissioned by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. A small charity, we are also funded by the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner to provide wider support for people across Slough and South Buckinghamshire.

Nicola Miller, Chief Executive at The Dash Charity, said: “The Dash Charity receives nearly 1,000 referrals and enquiries for support throughout the year, the majority still involving men’s violence towards women and girls.

“Our services are for local victims and survivors of domestic abuse of any gender, but White Ribbon Day and the global UN campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” recognise that 1 in 4 women and girls will be affected by domestic abuse and are more likely to suffer from gender-based violence in their lifetimes.

“Through awareness-raising campaigns like this one, we will continue working to change the narrative. Even small actions, like individuals and organisations calling out the seemingly ‘harmless’ attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate violence for women and girls, can create the ripples for greater change.”

Nicola Miller, Chief Executive, The Dash Charity

How to support the campaign:
To support the campaign, visit Craft Coop in Windsor Yards before close of business on Sunday 26 November, and donate £5 for a coffee cup decoration from the white tree in store. You can personalize it with your own message if you wish, before hanging it back on the tree.

To find out more or donate online here.

#WhiteRibbonDay #ChangeTheStory #NoExcuseForAbuse #YouAreNotAlone