GINA: The social enterprise helping survivors of sexual violence - by Lucy Hebberts

Lucy Hebberts graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2019 with a degree in Business Management and took on a full time role working as Business Lead with Birmingham start-up GINA.

Lucy: GINA's mission is to bring a sprinkling of magic in supporting all subjected to sexual violence & abuse in living free, empowered, hopeful futures; whilst challenging beliefs, attitudes and systems that threaten such futures.

We are a UK social enterprise united by lived experience to bring compassionate, tailored counselling & bespoke products/resources for all subjected to sexual violence & abuse. GINA provides immediate counselling support (contrasting lengthy waiting lists associated with organisations providing free support). There is no equivalent UK private, specialist, rape crisis organisation. 

GINA is RSVP’s sister organisation, a Birmingham-based charity providing free sexual violence & abuse support services. All GINA profits are donated to RSVP to help fund free support services for survivors who need them.

GINA was established after our founder, Lisa Thompson, discovered that her much loved grandmother, Nana Gina, was r***d as a teenager & had kept this secret for nearly 70 years, only disclosing shortly before she died. Lisa named GINA after her Nana to leave a positive legacy for her & for other sexual violence & abuse survivors like her. Lisa vowed that GINA would create opportunities for survivors to Grow, Inspire, Nurture and Achieve, to encourage people to believe in themselves, their resourcefulness & their potential.

Through University of Birmingham funding, GINA was awarded a total of £1000 towards the start-up costs of our organisation - this funding was vital in enabling GINA to start supporting individuals subjected to sexual violence & abuse.

What's the most rewarding things about working for a start-up:

One of the best things about being the Head of GINA is witnessing GINA's journey as it grows to offer more services, products & resources to support individuals subjected to sexual violence & abuse. It also enables me to live into my values & GINA's values everyday to embody a compassionate approach to supporting individuals. I am passionate about my work at GINA because it embodies my message to survivors...

​“To all of the survivors who are still silenced, shamed & disbelieved. I believe you. It’s a privilege to stand with you. your courage & strength never cease to amaze & inspire me. I am in awe of you. You have the right to thrive after being subjected to sexual violence & abuse. You have the right to object against your own mistreatment & that of others. The rest of the world may try & deny you this right & they will act offended and disgusted when you exercise it, but it is yours. You have that right, survivors; don’t be afraid to live it.”

Challenges of working in a start-up:

This position comes with endless opportunities to continuously explore new approaches, services, products & resources &continuously adapt GINA & our offering to meet the needs of individuals in our community. However, there are also challenges in this role due to the dedication, hard work & time commitment needed to run all aspects of an organisation such as GINA.  There's always an element of self-doubt & anxiety present about whether you are doing the right thing, making the right decision or going down the right path with a new project/service/product... but then your passion for what you are doing brings you home to the truth that the excitement lies in the opportunities & exploration!

I wish I had known the power that changing paths & changing directions holds. At the start of this venture, I had an idea & direction that felt 'set in stone.' However, I quickly learned that they key to success is continuous change & adaptation in accordance with changing external conditions & in order to meet the changing needs of the individuals we support. 

You need to be a chameleon & adapt to the colours around you!

The realisation of the potential GINA has to support survivors & bring about positive change.

The nature of this work and frequent exposure to trauma can be hard but when you are able to live your passion through a venture such as GINA & witness the positive impact our work can have on the lives of individuals in our community, it's a feeling like no other. 

A little bit of gentle advice if you're thinking of starting/running your own business...

Go for it! Trust your gut & follow your passion. The worst that could happen is that you have to start over & all that brings is new opportunities!

Find out more about the support provided by GINA by visiting their website.

The University of Birmingham operates a well-being service including support against sexual harassment and violence. Visit the University of Birmingham support website for more information.

For help starting your own idea, you can see the latest opportunities on the B-Enterprising Start-Up website.

Written by Lucy Hebberts (UoB Business Management graduate) Edited by Bob Lee