First Light Swindon & Wiltshire

11/09/2026

Could you spare 5 minutes to complete our Accessibility, Inclusivity and Access to Support Survey?

First Light is reviewing how accessible and inclusive s*xual violence support services are for people with disabilities, neurodivergence, learning disabilities, long-term health conditions and mental health needs.

Your feedback will help us understand what barriers people face when accessing support and what we can do to improve. We're particularly keen to hear from people with lived experience.
All responses are anonymous unless you choose to provide your contact details.

Take the survey here:
https://app.sli.do/event/24AAATsszY7uLXqG5eVeeu

Thank you for helping us make our services more accessible, inclusive and responsive to people's needs.

Could you spare 5 minutes to complete our Accessibility, Inclusivity and Access to Support Survey?

First Light is reviewing how accessible and inclusive s*xual violence support services are for people with disabilities, neurodivergence, learning disabilities, long-term health conditions and mental health needs.

Your feedback will help us understand what barriers people face when accessing support and what we can do to improve. We're particularly keen to hear from people with lived experience.

All responses are anonymous unless you choose to provide your contact details.

Take the survey here:
https://app.sli.do/event/24AAATsszY7uLXqG5eVeeu

Thank you for helping us make our services more accessible, inclusive and responsive to people's needs.

08/09/2026

Some of our Swindon and Wiltshire ISVA Service team attended the Services Cotswold Centre on Tuesday 8th September for their Allied Services event. It was a great morning networking with other organisations, and discussing the important work of the ISVA and SARC services in Swindon and Wiltshire, as well as learning more about what support is available to military personnel and their families.

We were grateful for the invite and look forward to attending the next one!

08/09/2026

𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥.
Every year, thousands of family members, friends, colleagues, and children are impacted by s*xual violence and domestic abuse.

That’s why we offer a range of supportive services across various regions, including Devon, Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Swindon, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and across England & Wales.

𝐖𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝.

For more information about our services, please visit https://www.firstlight.org.uk/

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲.

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