First Light Swindon & Wiltshire

04/09/2026

02/09/2026

Looking for a career where you can make a meaningful difference?

At First Light, every role contributes to supporting people affected by domestic abuse, s*xual violence, and church-related abuse.

Together, we help people find their voice, access support, and move forward on their journey of recovery and empowerment.

If you're passionate about empowering people, creating positive change, and working alongside a dedicated team committed to making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Explore our current opportunities and apply today: https://www.firstlight.org.uk/job-vacancies/

Looking for a career where you can make a meaningful difference?

At First Light, every role contributes to supporting people affected by domestic abuse, s*xual violence, and church-related abuse.

Together, we help people find their voice, access support, and move forward on their journey of recovery and empowerment.

If you're passionate about empowering people, creating positive change, and working alongside a dedicated team committed to making a difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Explore our current opportunities and apply today: https://www.firstlight.org.uk/job-vacancies/

28/08/2026

Bank Holiday Operating Hours – Monday 31st August

Please note that some of our services will be closed during the Bank Holiday weekend.

📍 First Light Swindon & Wiltshire
✅ SARC Helpline remains open 24/7
📞 01793 781917
❌ ISVA Service & SARC Office will be closed

📍 Safe Spaces England & Wales
❌ Church-related Abuse Service will be closed

🚨 Need urgent support?
These services are available 24/7:
📞 National R**e Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999
📞 National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
If you are in immediate danger, please call 999 (or 101 for non-emergencies).

✅ All services will reopen on Tuesday 1st September

25/08/2026

What is an ISVA Service, and how can it help?

If you've experienced s*xual abuse, r**e, s*xual assault, harassment, exploitation, or any form of s*xual violence, you don't have to face it alone.

An Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) is a trained specialist who provides free, confidential, and independent support.

They won't tell you what to do or pressure you into making decisions. Instead, they'll listen, believe you, help you understand your options, and support you every step of the way, at your pace.
Whether you choose to report to the police, are unsure about your next steps, or simply need someone to talk things through with, an ISVA can help you feel informed, supported, and empowered.

Learn more at: https://www.firstlight.org.uk/our-services/sw-isva-service/
Or call us on: 0300 373 2715

You will be listened to.
You will be believed.
You will be supported.

21/08/2026

You're Not Alone.

Life can feel overwhelming at times, and it can be easy to believe you're facing it all on your own.

But you don't have to.
People care.
People will listen.

You deserve to be heard, believed, and supported.
If you're struggling, please know that support is available.

If someone you know might be finding things difficult, let them know you're there. A simple message such as "I'm here if you need me" can make a real difference.

Let's remind each other that everyone deserves support, safety, and hope.

Find support and helpful resources here: https://www.firstlight.org.uk/resource-hub/

Share this post to let the people know you're there for them. It might be exactly what someone needs to see today.

14/08/2026

Did you know? Sexual coercion isn't always obvious.

Many people think consent is simply about saying "yes" or "no", but consent should always be freely given, without pressure, manipulation, guilt, threats, or fear.

Sexual coercion can take many forms, including repeatedly asking after someone has said no, making them feel guilty for refusing, threatening to end a relationship, or making them feel like they "owe" s*x.

These behaviours can sometimes be dismissed or overlooked, making it difficult to recognise when a boundary has been crossed.

Whether you're reflecting on your own experiences, supporting someone you care about, or helping young people understand healthy relationships, recognising the signs of s*xual coercion is an important part of understanding consent.

Consent should always be a choice, never something someone is pressured into.

If you are looking for more information or support, please contact our Independent Sexual Violence Advisory Service on: 0300 373 2715

12/08/2026

Sexual harassment can be easy to dismiss, especially when it's described as "just a joke" or "harmless banter".

But for many people, it's an experience that can leave them feeling uncomfortable, intimidated, humiliated, or unsafe.

It can take many forms, from unwanted comments and messages to inappropriate questions, s*xual advances, or unwanted physical contact.

Whether you're looking to better understand your own experiences, support someone you care about, or help young people recognise healthy boundaries, understanding what s*xual harassment is can make a real difference.

You deserve to feel safe, respected, and heard.

If you are looking for more information or support, please contact our Independent Sexual Violence Advisory Service on: 0300 373 2715

10/08/2026

Sexual violence, r**e, and s*xual assault are terms that are often used together, but they don't all mean the same thing.

Sexual violence is an umbrella term that includes a wide range of unwanted s*xual behaviours, including r**e, s*xual assault, s*xual harassment, exploitation, and abuse.

There are still many misconceptions around these experiences, from who can be affected to what consent looks like. Understanding the differences can help people recognise harmful behaviours, challenge common myths, and better support those around them.

Whether you're looking to better understand your own experiences, support a friend or family member, or help young people navigate healthy relationships, knowing the facts can make an important difference.

You deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported.

If you are looking for more information or support, please contact our Independent Sexual Violence Advisory Service on: 0300 373 2715

06/08/2026

You are invited to a free professional event in Bristol focused on understanding church-related abuse and the support available for people affected.

Hosted by the South West Ecumenical Safeguarding Forum in partnership with First Light, this event is designed to provide a calm, supportive and informative space to learn more about church-related abuse, survivor support pathways, and how professionals can help people access safe, trauma-informed support.

Event details
Date: Tuesday 11th August 2026
Time: 12:30pm arrival, with the event beginning at 1:00pm
Venue: Bristol Central Quaker Meeting House, Champion Square, Bristol, BS2 9DB
Cost: Free to attend

During the session, First Light will share information about support available to survivors, including Safe Spaces, s*xual violence support, the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Swindon, and domestic abuse support. There will also be an opportunity for optional questions at the end.

The event may be particularly relevant for safeguarding professionals, church leaders, clergy, pastoral workers, support organisations, and anyone whose role involves responding to or supporting people affected by abuse in faith or church settings.

Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues or networks who may find it useful. Attendees are also welcome to bring a support person, provided they book a ticket.

To book a place, please visit: https://SouthWestEcumenicalSafeguardingForum.eventbrite.co.uk

You are invited to a free professional event in Bristol focused on understanding church-related abuse and the support available for people affected.

Hosted by the South West Ecumenical Safeguarding Forum in partnership with First Light, this event is designed to provide a calm, supportive and informative space to learn more about church-related abuse, survivor support pathways, and how professionals can help people access safe, trauma-informed support.

Event details
Date: Tuesday 11th August 2026
Time: 12:30pm arrival, with the event beginning at 1:00pm
Venue: Bristol Central Quaker Meeting House, Champion Square, Bristol, BS2 9DB
Cost: Free to attend

First Light is a specialist charity supporting people affected by abuse, including domestic abuse, s*xual violence and church-related abuse. Their work is trauma-informed, person-centred and focused on safety, choice and long-term recovery.

During the session, First Light will share information about support available to survivors, including Safe Spaces, s*xual violence support, the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Swindon, and domestic abuse support. There will also be an opportunity for optional questions at the end.

The event may be particularly relevant for safeguarding professionals, church leaders, clergy, pastoral workers, support organisations, and anyone whose role involves responding to or supporting people affected by abuse in faith or church settings.

Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues or networks who may find it useful. Attendees are also welcome to bring a support person, provided they book a ticket.

To book a place, please visit: https://SouthWestEcumenicalSafeguardingForum.eventbrite.co.uk

*xualviolence

04/08/2026

We stood together against abuse.

Together, we achieved something incredible:
✅ 67 organisations engaged with the campaign across Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
✅ 22 organisations publicly joined the campaign and proudly displayed their support
✅ An estimated 1 million views across First Light and partner social media channels

The true impact is likely to be even greater. These figures do not include individual shares, reposts, supporter activity or community conversations that helped carry the message even further.

Together, participating organisations helped the campaign reach audiences of more than 2 million followers, generating significant visibility nationwide.

While the World Cup may be over, Blow the Whistle continues.
We're taking the campaign into wider sporting spaces to help ensure fans, players, clubs and communities can recognise abuse, challenge harmful behaviour and know where to turn for support.

Every conversation matters. Every act of allyship matters.

Together, we can continue to challenge abuse, promote safe intervention and make specialist support easier to find.

Thank you to everyone who supported the campaign and helped make a difference.