When I look back, 2009 was a year everything changed for me, though I had no idea at the time. It was the start of my One25 journey – a journey that has shaped me for over 16 years.
I joined a small team as the new Grants Fundraiser, tasked with writing applications that would keep our work alive. Our single office buzzed with noise, chatter and laughter. I sat amongst the frontline team and saw their work up close: the phone calls, the endless attempts to reach women, the pain of the challenges they faced, and the fierce determination to make sure women got the help they needed.
Those early days built the foundations of everything that followed. I understood why One25 exists. It made me care deeply for the women and want to do whatever I could to help.
Since then, me and my role have changed – but the passion never has.
There have been highs and lows – moments of pure joy and moments of deep pain – but always the sense that what we were doing mattered. We’ve won awards, welcomed celebrities, and even hosted a royal visit from Harry and Meghan. I will truly never look at bananas the same way again.
I’ve thrown myself into more fundraising challenges than I can count: skydiving, sleeping out, barefoot walks, giving up sugar, dressing as a banana…and yes, even walking on fire. My biggest lesson? The scarier or sillier the challenge, the more people dig deep. There are many terrible photos of me to prove it!
Some of my most precious memories are from nights on the van – meeting women where they are, offering love, comfort and something as simple as a tuna mayo sandwich or a ‘hug in a mug’ hot chocolate. Those moments of human connection will stay with me forever.
I’ve also had the privilege of meeting women at different stages of life, sitting with them as they shared their stories with bravery and honesty so that we could write them up to share with the world. Very precious times…
Sometimes the sign of success is that we’re not in touch with a woman anymore and we don’t know what life looks like for her now. But over the years I’ve been honoured to glimpse some of the things that women have moved on to: winning awards, becoming journalists, publishing books, training as psychotherapists, becoming ministers, raising families, expertly supporting others facing the challenges that they have known so well.
If I had to sum up One25 in one word, it would be community. The people make One25 what it is. Without you, there is nothing.
As I leave One25, my heart is full of gratitude: for everyone who has been part of this story and everyone who will continue it. Whether you work here, volunteer, donate, fundraise or simply tell others about One25: with you, women get the help they need right now.
We wish we didn’t have to exist. But while there are still women out on Bristol’s streets, One25 absolutely needs to be here. Thank you for standing with us.
"There have been highs and lows - moments of pure joy and moments of deep pain - but always the sense that what we were doing mattered."
- Amy, Fundraising & Communications Manager
