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WE ARE 16
Happy birthday to us, happy birthday to us, happy birthday dear We Are Survivors… yes, it’s our 16th Birthday! It’s a hugely special day and we have been overwhelmed with messages of support, of love and affection, and the best of wishes. So not one to blow our own trumpet, but bloody hell… look at all these!
A very happy 16th birthday to all at We Are Survivors! Enjoy a wonderful ‘Year of Consent’ – and here’s to many more victories!
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester
A very Happy Birthday and a huge thank you to We Are Survivors. The work you do supporting male survivors and making sure their experiences are recognised is truly remarkable. It’s imperative that consent is ingrained into the minds of future generations from day dot. We are committed to improving understanding of consent and tackling harmful attitudes throughout society. No will always mean no.
Alex Davies-Jones MP, Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls
Wishing a very happy birthday to We Are Survivors! As the organisation marks its 16th birthday – a milestone age that carries special significance in your mission to support male survivors of abuse and exploitation – I commend your dedication to promoting vital conversations about consensual and healthy relationships. Your launch of the ‘Year of Consent’ comes at a crucial time: these discussions have never been more important, and everyone has a part to play. I look forward to an impactful year ahead, in which the Home Office can continue to collaborate with We Are Survivors as you educate, support, and empower communities through your invaluable work.
Jess Phillips MP, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls
Happy Birthday big bro! I’ve learned so much from you over the years and I’m extremely grateful for the wisdom and knowledge you’ve shared with me. Thank you for giving the Mandem the words, understanding and courage to know what it is to give and gain consent. Loadsa love, Mandem Meetup! X
Jamie Dennis, CEO of Mandem Meetup
I just want to wish one of my favourite charity’s the most happy 16th birthday. To everyone at We Are Survivors. Keep breaking the silence. Keep helping men, lads and boys break the silence. Keep reminding us all that we’re not doing enough and that it’s all our responsibility to make the change. Keep changing the world you absolute bunch of legends
Darren Knight, CEO of George House Trust
Dear Duncan and everyone at We Are Survivors.
Just wanting to send a personal congratulations and happy 16th year to an amazing service that continues to strive and provide excellent services to the community.
Here’s to the next years and continued partnership work together.
Best wishes Kate
Kate Davies CBE, Director of Health and Justice, Armed Forces and Sexual Assault Services Commissioning, NHS England.
A big BIG Happy 16th Birthday to a place that feels like home. Thank you for always making me and many others feel welcome, safe, seen, heard and wanted. Thank you for introducing me to many other brave, courageous, inspiring and honest people. Thank you for so many amazing moments in life that I am able to look back at with pride. For 16 years young you have certainly lived an extraordinary life and moved mountains for Male Survivors. I love being part of your journey and without wishing any life away I will always look forward to watching you grow and develop. Happy Birthday We Are Survivors. Love from Callum x
Callum, male survivor and Expert Reference Group Member
I remember you when you were just an idea, a twinkle in a brave man’s eye. I was there at your birth, so proud was I. I watched you grow, from crawling to first steps to speaking, speaking for Survivors, to them and them treating. In time, a young voice gave way to maturity and volume. There were new names and colour changes, a handful of costumes. But you are now what you were intended to be – a Survivor-led organisation – breaking the silence. You. Are. We. Happy birthday, We Are Survivors. I’m terribly proud of you and forever grateful for the parts I’ve been allowed to play.
Lee Hughes, Founder Chair.
It’s been my honour to serve on your Board all these years. You’ve had great times and difficult times, but all have been part of shaping the wonderful organisation you’ve become. Wishing you an amazing 16th birthday! X
Evan Chiswell, Founder Trustee and current Deputy Chair of Trustees
Happy 16th birthday to our friends We Are Survivors. Thanks for all the incredible work you do to support our communities. Wishing you a great birthday year and much continued success, from all the team at London Friend.
Monty Moncrieff MBE, CEO of London Friend
Happy 16th Birthday We Are Survivors. A huge thank you for everything you do to champion and empower the voices of male survivors. We Are Survivors continue to be a driving force in embedding culture change across the country, and an integral part of implementing the NHS Sexual Safety Charter locally. Thank you Duncan and the team for all you do in putting survivor voice first.
Catherine Hinwood OBE, Programme Director for Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, NHS England.
Happy Birthday to the wonderful We Are Survivors. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do in supporting male survivors to break the silence. I look forward to what is still to come as you work ever closer towards ensuring no male survivors are left behind. Keep up the great work!
Wesley Doherty, Founder Trustee
Happiest of birthdays to We Are Survivors! Huge congratulations on 16 incredible years supporting thousands of male survivors to break their silence and access positive affirming services. Also all the influencing work the team delivers nationally and internationally to break the stigma of sexual violence and abuse of men and boys.
Annie Emery, CEO of MASH
Happy 16th Birthday from us all at Salford CVS. We Are Survivors are an important organisation in the VCSE ecosystem in Salford, GM, and beyond… ably led by the extraordinary Duncan Craig. Here’s to many more birthdays.
Alison Paige, CEO of Salford CVS
Happy 16th! Thank you very much for both your direct work with survivors, and your commitment to forging effective partnerships with mine and other organisations.
Bishop David Walker, Bishop of Manchester
Happy Birthday We Are Survivors – not a troublesome 16 year old but a brilliant partner adding real value to the work of the Probation Service – congratulations!
Chris Edwards, Regional Director of Greater Manchester, HMPPS
I want to wish our amazing charity We Are Survivors a wonderful 16th Birthday. I am privileged and humbled to be a part of the journey so far and I’m so excited to see what’s next! Happy birthday
Prof Craig Harris, Chair of We Are Survivors
Sixteen incredible years changing the narrative around male and non-binary survivors of abuse. Thanks for all the support, love, care and community!
Nathaniel J Hall, Writer, Actor
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis would like to congratulate We are Survivors on 16 years of dedication to raising awareness of the prevalence and impact of sexual violence on men and boys and to providing support to men when few other services existed. You must be a lifeline for many. Happy Birthday!
Anne Stebbings, CEO of Greater Manchester Rape Crisis
Many happy returns, We Are Survivors. You are growing up fast. So well done on all that you. It will soon be time for GCSEs, so just make sure you get an ‘ology’ and all will be fine ;->.
Professor David Gadd, Professor of Criminology at the University of Manchester
Happy 16th Birthday to the wonderful team at We Are Survivors. Thank you again for changing so many men’s lives, changing society’s views and supporting the work of so many other like minded professionals.
Mark Brookes, Chair of Mankind Initiative
From everyone at Vent, we want to say a massive happy 16th birthday to We Are Survivors. You have been instrumental in giving male survivors a voice, including ourselves and men we support across the UK. Thank you for all the work you’ve done and continue to do. Here’s to the next 16 years!
Freddie Crocker, Vent Podcast
Happy Birthday! What an incredible milestone for an incredible charity! What you do is so important and leading the way in changing lives with survivors both in GM and nationally.
Liz Windsor-Welsh, Chief Executive of Action Together
Mazal tov to We Are Survivors on your 16th birthday from all your colleagues at JSAS Jewish Sexual Abuse Support! You are a few years older than us and like our big brother. Thank you for the support, sharing, and general fabulousness you have brought to the SV sector. We are proud to work and grow with you.
Erica Marks, CEO of JSAS (Jewish Sexual Abuse Support)
Happy birthday to We Are Survivors! For 16 years, you’ve been a pillar of strength and support for survivors across Greater Manchester, changing countless lives, and empowering individuals. Keep up the incredible work.
City Mayor Paul Dennett
Happy 16th Birthday, We Are Survivors! Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone! Your unwavering dedication and impactful work have made such a difference in countless lives, and your mission continues to inspire so many. Here’s to 16 years of empowering survivors, creating positive change, and building a brighter future for all. May the year ahead bring even more success and opportunities to make a lasting impact. With gratitude and admiration.
Michelle Hill, Group Chief Executive of Talk Listen Change
Happy Birthday to ‘We are Survivors’ – many congratulations on all the incredible work you have done over the last 16 years.
Phil Trow BBC Radio Manchester
Happy Birthday, We Are Survivors. It’s been 10 years since I first walked through your doors, and it’s been incredible to see you grow and help so many more boys and men since then. The work your team does is life changing, so here’s to celebrating many more birthdays!
Adam, Male Survivor, Psychotherapist
To the charity that keeps on giving. All my love and sincerest gratitude. Here’s to the next 16 years of campaigning and keeping survivors safe…xxx
Micky Dacks, CEO of I4YPC
Wishing everyone at We Are Survivors, past and present, a very Happy Birthday. That’s 16 years of changing the lives of countless men like me.
Tom, Male Survivor & former We Are Survivors client
On behalf of Gaddum – a proud partner of We Are Survivors – personally to an organisation that is very close to my heart, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone at Survivors a very happy (and well earned!) birthday. The impact We Are Survivors has had is immeasurable – you’ve held people in their most difficult moments and, more than that, saved lives. Wishing you many years ahead of growth, stability and continued impact on the lives of those you exist to support.
Ben Whalley, CEO of Gaddum
Happy Birthday We Are Survivors! Thank you for being a leading light in our sector, for championing the voices of male survivors and always being so creative, innovative and collaborative in your approach. We love working with you and send you our love for the next 16 years. We can’ wait to see what comes next. XX Love.
Gemma Halliwell, CEO of The Green House
Gosh, 16 years old! It seems like it’s gone in a heartbeat whilst also feeling like a lifetime, all those lives saved, all those lives changed forever. Thank you for the difference you’ve made in my life & the legacy that you’ve created… here’s to the next 16 years & all the adventures that I know it will bring.
Billie Andrews, Clinical Supervisor
Many happy returns We Are Survivors. Sixteen years of changing lives, changing attitudes and changing the landscape for male survivor support. What an achievement – I am so proud to be a part of your story and the incredible WAS family.
Alex Mayer, Fundraising Consultant
Happy birthday We Are Survivors! The support you give the survivor community is invaluable. Speaking also as an artist, the backing you give to creatives allows us the opportunity to tell our stories and hopefully inspire other people to seek support
Rob Ward, Actor and Writer (The MP, Aunty Mandy and Me)
Dear Dunc and Team. Happy 16th Birthday We Are Survivors. You have achieved so much in raising awareness and providing the much-needed support men require. With light, Love and Peace
Tim Woodhouse, Director of Tiptoes Child Therapy Services
To Duncan and everyone at We Are Survivors. Happy 16th Birthday! Today, you celebrate not just 16 years of your organisation’s existence, but 16 years of determination, innovation, and unwavering support for male survivors. Your dedication to providing the highest quality support and a safe space for so many will have changed countless lives. Your work is groundbreaking, your impact profound, and your commitment truly inspiring. It is absolutely wonderful to observe from the sidelines how your organisation continues to grow from strength to strength. As you step into another year, we know you will continue to bring hope, empowerment, and healing to so many male survivors – Congratulations and well done. With lots of love, Steph and everyone at LimeCulture.
Stephanie Reardon, CEO of LimeCulture
Happy anniversary to the team at We Are Survivors who have been a vital partner in helping us support male victims of sexual abuse in Greater Manchester. Together we have worked on some of the most unprecedented and distressing cases, but the care, dedication, and skill of our officers and specialist Survivors staff have ensured many men and boys have been listened to, been protected, and received justice. This is lifechanging work that we take immense pride in, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership work together in the years ahead to tackle sexual abuse and violence. Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods, Greater Manchester Police