Survivors at the Centre Programme Team
Meet the people helping to deliver the National Lottery-funded Survivors at the Centre project across areas within the East of England.
Survivors at the Centre
The Programme Team
Survivors at the Centre brings together the skills, expertise and local knowledge of partner organisations to deliver the First Contact Navigator model across areas within the East of England.
Each partner contributes its own experience and understanding of local communities, with a shared commitment to improving access to specialist sexual abuse and violence services.
The programme is led by a Strategic Manager and Navigator Lead, who work with all partners to support the delivery, development and coordination of Survivors at the Centre.
How the programme is run
Who does what
Strategic Manager
Works with all partners to support the delivery, development and coordination of Survivors at the Centre.
Navigator Lead
Leads the First Contact Navigator model across the partnership and supports navigators in each area.
First Contact Navigators
Based in the specialist centres, trained by ICENA, and the first point of contact for survivors.
The Synergy East Partnership
Our Partnership
Survivors at the Centre is delivered through a partnership of specialist organisations, each bringing its own expertise, local knowledge and established relationships.
Together, the partners deliver the First Contact Navigator model and strengthen access to specialist sexual abuse and violence services across areas within the East of England.
The centres
Our Partners
Each organisation remains independent and retains its own identity. You can find out more about each partner and the services they provide by visiting their website.
Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre
Established in 1982 as a confidential helpline created by local women, Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre has grown into a specialist sexual violence organisation working across Cambridgeshire. It provides free, confidential services for women and girls who have experienced rape, sexual abuse or sexual violence, no matter when it happened. Its work includes emotional support, counselling, advocacy and group work, alongside campaigning and awareness raising.
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Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse (CARA)
CARA was established in 1989 as Colchester Rape Crisis Line and has developed into a specialist organisation working with adults, young people and children of all genders who have experienced sexual violence or child sexual abuse. From its base in Colchester and outreach locations across Essex, CARA provides independent specialist services, promotes survivors' rights and works to improve understanding of sexual violence and abuse.
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Peterborough Rape Crisis Care Group
Peterborough Rape Crisis Care Group was established in 1983 to provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental service for people affected by rape and sexual violence. Today it works across Peterborough, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and Bedfordshire, providing specialist emotional support, advocacy and group work for survivors and those affected by their experiences.
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SERICC – Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service
SERICC's roots date back to 1981, when a group of women in Thurrock came together to challenge sexual violence and create specialist services for survivors. Its first telephone helpline opened in 1984. Today SERICC provides independent specialist sexual violence and abuse services across South and West Essex, including counselling, advocacy, children and young people's services, prevention work and practical information.
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Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis
Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis was re-established in 2011 to restore specialist rape and sexual abuse provision in South East Essex. It provides services for adults and children who have been directly or indirectly affected by sexual violence, working across Southend-on-Sea, Castle Point and Rochford. Its specialist offer includes advocacy, therapy, children and young people's services, wellbeing and empowerment groups, outreach and professional training.
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Partners working with Synergy East
ICENA
ICENA was established in 2019 as a social enterprise focused on training, consultancy and professional development. Its work draws on frontline expertise and lived experience to strengthen how workplaces, public services and communities prevent and respond to sexual harassment, sexual violence, trauma and gender inequality. ICENA provides specialist, practical and survivor-led learning for organisations across the public, voluntary and private sectors.
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Survivors in Transition
Survivors in Transition has supported survivors in Suffolk since 2010. It is a survivor-centred specialist organisation working with people of all ages and genders who have experienced sexual violence or sexual abuse, regardless of when it happened or whether it was reported. Its work combines specialist trauma-informed services with research, insight and wider activity to improve how survivors are understood and responded to.
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