Convo4Change

Get the conversation started this International Women’s Day.

Does your workplace hold regular lunch & learn sessions? Or would your community group or club be interested in holding a coffee morning?

To celebrate International Women’s Day, you can help to raise funds to keep Refuge’s services running AND vital awareness about the prevalence of domestic abuse by getting people talking.

  • You’re welcome to organise an event in the style of your choice such as: a coffee morning, a speaker panel/Q&A event, a feminist book club or similar. This is a great opportunity to platform inspiring or influential women! 
  • This can be held on International Women’s Day (8th March) or a day that suits you.  
  • It can take place with your workplace, at your school, at your next community group meeting or with friends and family.  
  • Finally, we will send you all the Refuge materials you’ll need, including collection boxes and bunting, to help make your event a success! 

For survivors, 4Change.
 

To get started:  

  1. Register your interest using our form below.
  2. Once you’ve registered, you will receive a welcome email with all the information you need. 
  3. Download your free Convo4Change guide here, for support with organising your event and selecting a topic to discuss.
  4. Make sure to set up a JustGiving page for your event here. You are welcome to also collect cash donations on the day and we will provide details of how to pay that in.  
  5. If you raise £500 or more, you will receive an exclusive prize from the Refuge team! 

 

To help us support your plans, please complete this registration form by 13th February and we’ll make sure you have everything you need to get ready for the big day. 

Convo4Change Registration Form

MM slash DD slash YYYY
What type of event are you planning to hold?(Required)

Fundraising goal
Please select your approximate fundraising target
Will you be using a JustGiving page? Or do you plan to fundraise another way – e.g. cash collections.

Thank you for submitting your registration form   
  
Any queries please reach out to: community@refuge.org.uk or your Refuge point of contact.

Event FAQS 

Q. What is Convo4Change?
A. We’re asking individuals, corporates, schools or groups to organise an event to get people talking about feminist issues on International Women’s Day. By including a focus on domestic abuse, this will demonstrate solidarity with the 1 in 4 women who will experience domestic abuse in their lifetime.

Q. What kind of event should I organise?
A. It is up to you how you’d like to structure the event but we’d recommend selecting one of the following:

– Coffee morning
– Lunch & learn
– Speaker panel or Q&A
– Roundtable discussion 
– Debate
– Feminist book club 

Q. Who can take part in the event ?
A. This event is open to anyone! You’re welcome to organise as an individual or with your workplace, your community group/club, your school or with friends and family.  

Q. Do we have to hold the event on International Women’s Day?
A. The event is completely flexible. You can select a day that suits you, be that the 8th March or another date in March.  

Q. Will someone from Refuge be able to take part in our event?
A. Unfortunately, we are a small team and anticipate lots of different fundraising events to be taking place in aid of Refuge around International Women’s Day. Sadly, this means we won’t be able to guarantee a member of our team will be available to attend your event to represent Refuge. However, we have lots of informative videos and literature we can provide to support with your event.

Please reach out to your Refuge point of contact to request someone attends and we can look into this further for you.

Q. How do I sign up?
A. You can register by completing the form above and opening a JustGiving page. Once registered, we’ll send you all the guidance you need to get started and order your materials. 

Q. What’s included in the Convo4Change guide?
A. The guide includes support with structuring your event and ideas for topics to discuss, as well as fundraising tips to help you reach your target. 

Q. What Refuge materials can I get for the event?
A. We’ve got the following materials on offer to support you with your event: 

  • Collection boxes 
  • Bunting 
  • Balloons 
  • Banners 
  • Information leaflets 
  • An event poster 

Plus, we have lots of digital assets we can also share with you. 

Q. Is there a registration fee?
A. No, there’s no registration fee.

Q. How do I set up my fundraising page?
A. You can open a JustGiving page on our Convo4Change campaign here.
We recommend personalising it with your event name, photos, and your story to inspire donations.

Alternatively, you’re welcome to fundraise offline by collecting cash on the day and we will contact you with instructions on how to pay this into Refuge.  

Q. Is there a fundraising target?
A. We suggest setting a target of £500 in order to receive exclusive goodies. Raising £500 could buy bedding for a large family who are moving from a refuge into their own home.

However, any amount you raise will make a huge difference! 

Q. What if we don’t meet our fundraising target?
A. Not to worry if you don’t meet your target. Every donation counts and goes directly toward helping survivors of domestic abuse.

Q. Will there be support during the event?
A. Absolutely, our team will be available to answer any questions and you’ll also receive regular emails with tips and encouragement. 

Q. How do I share that we’ve put on an event?
A. We’d love to see photos from your event! Please do send them over to us and don’t forget to tag Refuge on your socials (@refugecharity) so we can share your achievements too! 

Q. What happens if we raise funds after the event has taken place?
A. That’s amazing! Donations can still be collected up to a month after the event, and we will issue an official thank you with your final total once everything has been received.  

Speak to our team

If you still have questions, please contact: community@refuge.org.uk or speak to your Refuge point of contact.