Building Pathways to Recovery Together
We're a founder led, survivor focused organisation who have built on our own and other survivors experiences to build an organisation the listens, believes and respects all survivors of sexual violence.
Founded in 2010, we've grown from a small support group into a vital part of Suffolk's survivor support network. Our development has been guided by survivor experiences, professional expertise, and groundbreaking research. Today, we continue to innovate and expand our three-phase approach, ensuring every survivor has access to the support they deserve, when they need it.
A Vision of Specialist Support
Our founders envisioned a different approach to supporting survivors - one that combined professional expertise with deep understanding of trauma. They recognised that Suffolk needed a specialist service that could offer structured, long-term support while respecting each survivor's unique journey to recovery, so just set it up and it's grown from a small coffee morning to now supporting thousands of survivors every year.
From day one, our mission was clear: to provide trauma-informed, professional support that empowered survivors to reclaim their lives.
Creating a safe, understanding environment
Providing specialist trauma support
Developing services based on survivor needs
Ensuring accessibility to all who needed help
Making a Lasting Impact: Supporting Survivors in Suffolk and Beyond.
Leading with Experience,
Our Founders
Meet the founders who turned a vital vision into Suffolk's specialist survivor support service, backed by our team of qualified professionals.
Fi and I started SiT due to the lack of Support for survivors of CSA in our area. Being a survivor myself helps to bring the survivors voice and heart to everything we do. I have never felt that the things that happened to me were my fault or shame and that they should not be allowed to define my life and persona. I am highly motivated with a passion for justice and the opportunity to provide support & psycho education to survivors to ensure they have every opportunity available to them in life.Clare is a qualified Social Worker and works at SiT as Head of Operations and is the Safeguarding Lead and Child Protection lead.
I have been incredibly privileged to be involved with SiT since day one and watch our incredible growth as an organisation. I am continually amazed at the resilience and strength of the men and women who come through our door. I see survivors, full of anxiety and self doubt and watch their transformation over the coming weeks. We believe in you and I hope as an organisation we can show you that we respect you, we listen to you and we believe you.Fiona runs the organisation from day to day.
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Kate was born in Cumbria and after a number of years living and working in London moved to Suffolk in 1998. Kate lives in Ipswich with her husband and two children. She is marketing professional and worked for BT for 11 years before going freelance. Kate is a hands on Chair – she is based at SiT at least one day per week and has great insight into how the charity runs day to day. Her and Fiona meet weekly to discuss operational and strategic issues. "I am passionate about the tremendous work SiT does in our community and proud to be part of an innovative and impactful organisation".
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Ali was the first ever service user at SiT! She brings a quiet, measured element to the Board and helps to ensure that all of our decisions and day to day running of SiT is steeped in what our service users want. She oversees and regularly attends our Service User Group (SUG) and ensures that survivors ideas and feedback are effectively represented at Board level. "I have been involved with SiT since it started and it played an important role in my own healing. I am proud to represent service users on the Board and am pleased with the openness and transparency demonstrated within SiT".
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Emma is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist who has provided clinical direction and insight to SiT since its inception. Emma specialises in older people’s acute services and has an avid interest in how trauma impacts people in older age. "It has been an incredible privilege to be involved and watch as SiT has grown, shaped and responded to enormous demand".
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Andrew is the Managing Director of a local manufacturing company and brings with him a vast range of well-honed business skills. He is integral to the business element of the charity and supports the strategic direction, development and implementation.
I’m proud to serve as a Trustee for Survivors in Transition (SiT), contributing to the organisation’s vital work supporting survivors of sexual violence or sexual abuse. My focus as a Trustee is on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), an area I am deeply passionate about professionally and academically.
Professor/Dr Vanessa Webb (MBBS, RGN,MSc, BSc, DLM, DFMS, FMERSA, MFMLM) has over 30 years experience as a nurse and qualified as a doctor in 2007, with experience as a forensic medical examiner delivering services to children, young people and adults. Vanessa was a Co-Founder of Mountain Healthcare, and left in 2021 to share her experiences. She is the Medical Director and Co-Founder of Nurture Health and Care Ltd, Chair of Trustees for The Maslow Foundation and is excited by the opportunity of supporting Survivors In Transition and their amazing team.
Following completion of a law degree, Charlotte qualified as a Barrister and then subsequently took the Solicitors conversation exam and spent many years working as a Solicitor in several law firms based in both England and Scotland for over fifteen years. Having spent her career specialising in employment law, Charlotte is passionate about helping employers comply with their legal obligations as well as best practice around employee engagement. Charlotte now provides advice to clients on a consultancy basis through Kingfisher HR which has been established for over six years. Charlotte has vast experience across the employment law spectrum having advised clients on all aspects of day to day HR management and change management projects. Charlotte helps SiT with our HR and employment law compliance and she has commented “ It is a real privilege to be able to support SiT, who clearly make a positive impact on our community and the lives of others”.
Kerri Read has a background in Health and Social Care and Teaching. She has spent the last decade supporting local charity and community groups to connect with more people through organising events and fundraisers and managing Social Media. "I love being able to use my skills and experience to support such an essential and inspirational organisation. SiT truly listens to and empowers people and I am very honoured to be one of their Trustee Advisors" .
Survivor Resources & Research
Learning from other survivors journeys can be a powerful tool, and make you feel much less alone. Access specialist articles, survivor stories, and evidence-based research about childhood sexual violence recovery and support.
Articles and guides covering trauma responses, recovery stages, and practical support strategies for survivors of childhood sexual violence.
A curated collection of poems written by survivors of sexual abuse, sharing personal experiences of trauma, healing, and recovery. *Please note that whilst this content is moderated you may find some of it triggering so please take care*
Key findings from our research , revealing crucial insights into sexual violence and abuse, how survivors access support services, costs to the NHS and survivor experiences, and more
With your support, we can help more survivors access the support they need when they need it. Every donation directly funds our work to supporting those affected by sexual violence.
