Safe Browsing
The Old Vic has become a partner of UK SAYS NO MORE. They join a network of 250+ Partners and champions, who are working together to end domestic abuse and sexual violence.
The #Metoo disclosure movement and The Time’s Up legal defence fund have enabled a national conversation which has allowed the UK SAYS NO MORE Campaign to raise awareness of the wider issues of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Together, we are looking forward to amplifying the campaign’s message and promoting The Old Vic’s innovative Guardians Programme, designed to help any organisation go further in its commitment to creating a safe and secure working environment for all.
For many people, domestic abuse and sexual violence are often difficult subjects to talk about, despite an estimated 4.5 million women and 2.2 million men experiencing domestic abuse since the age of 16, and 50% of women experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace in England and Wales each year (ONS).
Sarah Winterflood, Partnership Manager at UK SAYS NO MORE, Hestia said:
‘UK SAYS NO MORE recognises that theatre and the arts can have a tremendous impact raising awareness of social issues. We are excited to work in partnership with The Old Vic whilst supporting their Guardians Programme.’
Kate Varah, Executive Director of The Old Vic said:
‘The Old Vic is a long-time supporter of Hestia and we are strongly supportive of their UK SAYS NO MORE campaign to end domestic abuse and sexual violence. The work of our two organisations is distinct but we both share a common purpose to help those around us in the best way we know how. This is clearly a campaign that deserves the widest possible support.’
About The Old Vic
The Old Vic is London’s independent not-for-profit theatre, creating world class entertainment on an international scale. Through our eclectic and adventurous work on stage, projects with young people, employability programmes and digital outreach, The Old Vic under Artistic Director Matthew Warchus is an exciting and inviting place to be.
For 200 years, The Old Vic has been a vital part of both the local and creative community with a social mission to nurture those around us. Today, we follow the lead of Old Vic pioneers Emma Cons and Lilian Baylis whose commitment to social mobility and access to the arts, we share.
We believe in the restorative power of theatre and its unique ability to entertain, transform and inspire.
About The Old Vic’s Guardians Programme
Guardians are a group of trained staff who offer a confidential outlet for colleagues to share informally concerns about behaviour or the culture at work. Everyone should have a way to share their concerns with someone outside of the ‘regular’ reporting line. Guardians actively listen and support, offering confidential advice on options to escalate concerns, with discretion and empathy.
The Guardians programme is an Old Vic innovation designed to help any organisation go further in its commitment to creating a safe and secure working environment for all.
A Guardians Network has been formed to bring together the group of organisations from all sectors (not just the arts) who have implemented the principles of a Guardians Programme in their own workplace.
The Old Vic has created resources so there is no barrier to implementation no matter what size the organisation or the level of their resource. And, through the Network, organisations can access pro bono legal training for their Guardians three times a year from Lewis Silkin, share best practice within the group on anonymised trends and learnings and centralise resources.
Each organisation, each industry, will have experiences and solutions with universal application that, through this open collaboration of resources and ideas, will benefit and strengthen us all.
Interested in becoming a partner?
Are you or your organisation interested in becoming a partner of the UK SAYS NO MORE campaign? We want to hear from you! Email Partnerships Manager Sarah Winterflood at Sarah.Winterflood@hestia.org for more information.
