As we reach the end of another busy year, we want to pause and offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supports Phoenix and walks alongside us in this work.

Throughout the year, we have worked with care and intention to improve the experience of waiting for support, recognising how difficult this period can be for children, young people, and their families. Our focus has been on helping people feel held, seen, and not forgotten.

In 2025, Phoenix received 136 new referrals for children and young people with lived experience of CSA. We provided long-term, intensive support to 91 families and delivered training and consultation to over 250 professionals. Through this collective effort, young people and families across Somerset have experienced greater safety, compassion, and care—supporting them to gently begin regaining control over their journeys and taking steps towards healing.

This year, we continued our Virtual Waiting Well Workshops and were incredibly fortunate to be supported by a dedicated volunteer who gives their time and energy to connect with those awaiting direct support, ensuring they know they matter and are held in mind. We also welcomed new practitioners to our team, strengthening our capacity as we move into 2026. This allows us to continue balancing our survivor-centred, trauma-informed values—working at each person’s pace—while responding as thoughtfully as possible to the growing demand across the sector.

Alongside this, we embedded drop-in consultations for professionals, creating space for reflective conversations and shared learning around best-practice approaches when supporting survivors of CSA. We hosted a powerful forum led by our young people—because there is no training quite like hearing directly from those with lived experience. We made many other thoughtful adaptations to our service delivery, and importantly, secured continued funding from the ICB to sustain our work into the coming years. We are excited to embed further service developments in 2026.

For many, Christmas can be a time of warmth and connection; for others, it can bring complex and difficult emotions. Phoenix will be closed from Monday, 22nd December 2025, to Monday, 5th January 2026, allowing our team a much-needed period of rest so they can continue this work with care and integrity. If you are supporting a child, young person, or family who may need additional support during this time, we recommend the following services:

• Somerset Mindline - Mindline 24/7 | Mind in Somerset 01823 276 892 or 0800 138 1692 - Mindline provides emotional support and mental health help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Shout - Shout: The UK's free, confidential, 24/7 mental health text service | Shout 85258 - If you struggle to ring to ask for help, you can contact Shout via text on 85258.
• SARSAS helpline - Helpline, e-support and live chat | SARSAS support and information for people aged 13+ affected by rape or sexual abuse at any time in their lives - 0808 801 0456.
• The national Rape Crisis helpline: Want to talk? | Rape Crisis England & Wales 0808 802 9999.
• Domestic Abuse support - Contact us - Phone: 0800 694 9999 or Email: domesticabuseservice@somerset.gov.uk.
• We Stand – We Stand for families impacted by child sexual abuse – helpline 0800 980 1958  or you can email at support@westand.org.uk.
• The Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/ - Whatever you're going through 24/7 365 days a year. Free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.  
• Calm – CALM  Suicide prevention helpline – for anyone affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. 5 pm to Midnight – 7 days a week – 0800 58 58 58.
• Kooth - Home - Kooth. chat service is free & a safe space to talk.
• The Bridge SARC - About us – The Bridge - medical care, emotional and psychological support, and practical help to anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted -  0117 342 6999 - 24/7, 365 days a year.

Statutory services -

• Somerset Children’s Social Care - 0300 123 2224 or emailing them at childrens@somerset.gov.uk. If it is out of office hours, you can reach them on this number 0300 123 23 27.
• In the case of emergencies, please always call 999 & for less urgent reports to the police call 101 or complete their online reporting tool here - Report | Avon and Somerset Police

As the year comes to a close, we hope you are able to rest, restore, and take a moment to reflect on the compassion and kindness you have offered others. Your contribution makes a meaningful difference in supporting recovery and hope for those affected by CSA.

We look forward to continuing our collaborative work together in 2026.

With warm wishes and gentleness,
The Somerset Phoenix Team