A Moment for Reflection

We've packed a lot into the past three months from launch to our first weekend of free workshops for women who have experienced sexual violence.

For Floribunda, teamwork has absolutely made the dream work. I have been supported by people who understand why what we are doing matters and who have brought skills, enthusiasm, knowledge and a lot of love to the table.

The vision I had for our service came to me on a plane in March 2025 and seeing this materialise in reality was such a significant moment. I cannot thank the awesome women (and men!) enough who have helped to make the vision a reality – the belief in what we are doing and why it matters – has made my heart full.

Our team already includes nearly fifteen people, the majority supporting on a voluntary basis to ensure that we are operationally robust. Mia, our head of service, has an extensive career history in social care and crisis support. She also happens to be a childhood friend of mine and was the first person I properly consulted with to scope out the workshops. Her rigour in terms of safeguarding and mental health responsibility gave me full confidence to begin building the vision.

We then rallied further and brought together other women who are top level professionals across the sector, and who also happen to be personal friends, to establish our Advisory Board. Our lead, Dr Lynn Morgan MBE and I first met back in 2012 when she was starting the fundraising campaign for the build of the new £10.5m Arthur Rank Hospice. I'm hugely thankful for the early conversations with Lynn in spring 2026, which helped to inform the legal structure for Floribunda as a nonprofit. It was clear for me that Floribunda would not operate as charity in the already burdened network of crisis agencies who have to compete for the very limited funding available. We are a premium nonprofit and will be activating the commercial side of the business later this year to create a fully financially self-sufficient model where 100% of our revenue is reinvested into our service provision.

• 

• 

"Our engagement campaign has really resonated with women – and men – who have told us that the statistics are truly shocking. The time has come to acknowledge this reality."

We began our awareness campaign in late May this year, with a specific focus on everything analogue – combining press advertising, posters in cafes, shops, bars and pubs, as well as boards placed around Cambridge city centre. My professional experience tells me that digital channels are an essential component in driving engagement and awareness, but nothing beats a well crafted campaign in places women frequent in their daily lives. We are very grateful to the people and places that wholeheartedly got behind the launch campaign.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Our instagram account has also amassed nearly 20,000 views since launch – with over 50% of those coming from non-followers. This is essential data, reinforcing our prediction that many women can be reluctant to visibly align themselves with organisations that could reveal more than they are comfortable with. I am encouraged by the numbers so far, as it means we know there are so many interested in our service and they are keeping an eye on our content.

Our next workshops are on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August, so please either fill in our workshop self-referral form to reserve a space, or pass on the information to any women you think would benefit from what we provide.

This is only the beginning. 🌸✨