The Body Shop Foundation

GREAT news from NAPAC!

Sometimes – out of the blue – you get an email which lifts your spirits and gives you a shot of pure pleasure.

Well, we got one of these recently and we just had to share it with you.  We’re delighted to update you all on a recent bit of news concerning one group that we’ve funded and are fond of – NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood), run by the rather wonderful Peter Saunders.

Through the Big Lottery Fund, NAPAC have received a grant for £495,210 to increase the capacity of their national freephone support line for adults who suffered abuse as children. Volunteers are trained to offer a sympathetic ear, allowing callers the opportunity to discuss their experiences with a non-judgmental listener and be signposted to other organisations that can help them deal with past issues face-to-face.

NAPAC receives approximately 1000 calls per week and is able to answer just six per cent of these, most of which are first-time callers. The grant will enable them to expand its volunteer base to answer more of these calls. They also do presentations to GPs and other agencies as part of a campaign to raise awareness.

Chief Executive Pete Saunders said: “I cannot overstate the significance of this grant, and what it will enable NAPAC to achieve. We provide the UK’s only national free phone support line for adults who suffered any type of abuse in childhood and the Reaching Communities funding will enable us to reach out to this huge and isolated community.

“It’s easy to forget that abused children grow up and it is so important they, as adults, are given the opportunity to heal and move on with their lives. That is what we do at NAPAC: we help support people in their healing journey through the provision of a volunteer-run support line that is free and available every day of the working week. It was only lack of funding that hampered our plans to expand and meet the ever-growing demand for our unique service. This funding has untied our hands and will enable that to happen.”

We here at the Foundation are absolutely delighted as we’ve long been advocates and fans of this small but extraordinary group.

“NAPAC is one of those projects that once you hear about, you never forget.  Through their sheer will and determination and a bank of absolutely fantastic volunteers, they’ve been there as the first port of call for many adults struggling to come to terms with historic abuse.  This money will enable them to continue this service and allow them to continue their journey, going from strength to strength.  We’re absolutely thrilled about this news for NAPAC and Peter – its made our day!

Lisa Jackson, CEO, The Body Shop Foundation