During the pandemic, when the world slowed down, and there was no performances or events on the horizon, I looked for other work that on the surface would pay my bills but I was also looking for a job that gave me purpose, when all seemed terrible and lost in the world.
I applied for a job in the NHS, as a sexual assault crisis worker - it was a part time, 6 month post funded to cover the delays caused by the pandemic. My previous show had looked at sexual violence and it’s affect on young people and my lived experience of that, and I had worked with vulnerable young people in youth clubs and with arts organisations but this was a whole new level.
Thankfully, the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Manager, Nicola, saw my potential to fit into the service, by standing out. It was a highly competitive process and all I really had going for me was the passion to support clients at their worst moment, and to try and make that time a little bit softer for them. There is no “normal route” into becoming a forensic crisis worker, but drama school and fringe comedy/burlesque shows certainly is not the standard.

I am so proud of the work I did in this role, providing mental health crisis support for people disclosing sexual violence, as immediate as hours after the incident, all the way to decades after. Disclosure is difficult at any point, and the health and medical advice is still vital.
I became the paediatric specialist at the SARC but was privileged with the opportunity to work with people from all different walks of life. I supported them through safeguarding referrals, advocated for clients throughout police investigations (During the BLM protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd, Sarah Everards murder and subsequent protests and in the face of rampant police brutality in Bristol and across the globe), advised family members and support systems on how best to support our clients and I was a friendly face, a hand to hold and a good listener (Or world class chatter box - depending on what was needed!) during forensic examinations.
I was interviewed by ITV about the need for more funding in the sexual violence sector, particularly in regards to support for men disclosing non-recent assaults or historic abuse, and was able to deliver countless presentations and training days to professionals and young people around responding to disclosures of sexual violence, as well as consent and wellbeing.

I ended up being at The Bridge SARC for just under two years before leaving as lockdowns had been lifted and my regular performance work was coming back.
In another life, I would still be at The Bridge, on the wipe-clean sofas, finding laughter in dark moments, celebrating the snippets of joy and victory we got to see and ensuring that clients felt seen and heard as more than just a victim, more than just evidence, but as a brilliant person with a whole complex life filled with light and love beyond the incidents of sexual violence.
But in this life, I will use these experiences to inform my interactions with others and my artistic practice with knowledge, rage, empathy and community.
I learnt more about myself, and other people’s capacity for strength, empathy and kindness in those two years than I ever could have in any other work, at any other time of my life.

My call to action to you, is create a culture where the people in your life feel comfortable discussing sexual violence, write to your MP/Councillor and demand more funding for these vital services or if you’re able, fundraise or donate.