STARS Dorset celebrates volunteers and supporters at annual summer social along with Patron, Jeff Mostyn
STARS Dorset, the pan-Dorset charity providing free, confidential support to survivors of sexual violence and domestic abuse, marked its annual summer social with an evening bringing together trustees, volunteers, freelance & sessional contractors and staff to celebrate the organisation’s achievements over the past year.
STARS Dorset supports anyone with a Dorset postcode, of any age or gender, who has experienced sexual abuse, offering services including ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) support, specialist counselling, group work and a dedicated Children and Young People’s service. The charity’s Engagement Team also works with schools, colleges and universities across the county on education around consent, healthy relationships and preventing abuse.
The informal gathering is a fixture in the charity’s calendar, offering a chance to thank the wide network of people who contribute to its work throughout the year. This year’s event was also attended by recently appointed patron Jeff Mostyn, the former AFC Bournemouth chairman, who joined guests for the evening.
Helen Stevens, CEO of STARS Dorset, said, “Nights like this matter because our work depends on so many different people working together; our trustees and volunteers giving their time freely, alongside our staff and sessional contractors. It’s one of the few opportunities we have all year to simply say ‘thank you’ and celebrate everyone’s contribution and everything they make possible for the people we support.”
Jeff Mostyn, Patron of STARS Dorset, said, “Evenings like this are exactly why I wanted to be involved with STARS. Behind every statistic is a person, and behind every person’s recovery is a team of volunteers and staff giving up their time and energy to help. It’s a privilege to raise a glass to them.”
The evening included a light-hearted charity bake-off between two of the organisation’s staff, alongside a group photograph to mark the occasion.