Become NIDAS Local Hero
Help Women and Children Rebuild Their Lives
This November, we’re inviting a small number of businesses and community organisations across Mansfield and Ashfield to become NIDAS Local Heroes during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
By providing a space for messages of hope and community donations, your organisation can help raise awareness of domestic abuse, show visible support for survivors, and help fund life-changing programmes for women and children rebuilding their lives after abuse.
Together, we can show survivors that they are not alone.
Why It Matters
Domestic abuse affects people in every community.
Every day, women and children across Nottinghamshire access support from NIDAS to help them recover from the impact of abuse, rebuild their confidence, and move forward safely.
Recovery is not just about leaving an abusive situation. It is about healing, rebuilding confidence, reconnecting with others and creating a positive future.
Through specialist programmes such as Her Path and Steps to Freedom, NIDAS provides trauma-informed support that helps women and children take those important next steps towards recovery.
What Is a NIDAS Local Hero?
A NIDAS Local Hero is a local business, organisation or community group that chooses to stand alongside survivors during the 16 Days of Activism.
Taking part is simple.
We’ll provide a Message of Hope Board for you to display in a customer-facing area of your premises.
Staff, customers and visitors can then:
- Leave messages of hope and encouragement for women and children affected by domestic abuse.
- Learn more about NIDAS and the support we provide.
- Make a donation using a QR code or collection bucket if they wish.
By displaying a Message of Hope Board, you’re giving your community an opportunity to show support, raise awareness and make a meaningful difference.
What’s Involved?
Taking part is simple and flexible.
We know every organisation has different levels of capacity, so we’re encouraging Local Heroes to support the campaign in whatever way works best for them.
As a minimum, we’re asking participating organisations to:
✅ Display a Message of Hope Board in a visible customer-facing area
✅ Invite staff, visitors and customers to leave messages of hope
✅ Display a donation QR code and collection bucket for anyone who would like to contribute
We’ll provide the artwork, printable materials and guidance needed to get started.
If your organisation has the time and capacity to do more, we’d be incredibly grateful for any additional support. This could include:
- Bake sales
- Charity collections
- Workplace fundraising activities
- Raffles
- Dress-down days
- Community events
Additional fundraising is completely optional. Every message shared and every donation received helps make a difference.
What We’ll Provide
We’ll make it as easy as possible to take part.
Each NIDAS Local Hero will receive:
✅ Message of Hope artwork and printable message cards
✅ Donation QR code artwork
✅ Information about NIDAS and our services
✅ Campaign guidance
✅ Recognition as a NIDAS Local Hero
✅ Promotion through NIDAS channels where possible
All you need to do is provide a small space where staff, customers and visitors can engage with the campaign.
How the Message of Hope Board Works
Throughout the 16 Days of Activism, people will be invited to write messages of hope and encouragement for women and children rebuilding their lives after domestic abuse.
Messages might include:
- Words of encouragement
- Messages of strength
- Kind reminders that survivors are not alone
- Positive affirmations
At the end of the campaign, NIDAS will collect these messages and create a community display within our offices.
This display will allow the women and children accessing our services to see the support, compassion and solidarity shown by people across Mansfield and Ashfield.
Together, these messages will create a powerful reminder that our community stands with survivors.
How Your Support Makes a Difference
Every donation helps women and children take positive steps forward after experiencing domestic abuse.
The funds raised through the NIDAS Local Hero campaign will help us continue delivering specialist recovery programmes that create opportunities for healing, connection, confidence-building and long-term recovery.
Her Path
Her Path is NIDAS’ peer support group, led by NIDAS Ambassadors who understand the challenges of rebuilding life after abuse.
It provides a safe, welcoming and non-judgemental space where women can connect with others, build confidence and focus on their wellbeing. Through Her Path, women have opportunities to take part in activities and events that support recovery, reduce isolation and help them rediscover joy and connection.
Activities have included:
- Walk and talk groups
- Family fun days and community events
- Wellbeing sessions
- Creative activities
- Seasonal workshops and celebrations
Her Path is about more than surviving. It’s about helping women reconnect with themselves, develop supportive relationships and discover that life can hold positive opportunities again.
Steps to Freedom
Steps to Freedom is a creative, trauma-informed, survivor-led recovery programme designed to support healing from the effects of domestic abuse.
The programme helps women move beyond survival and towards a future where they feel empowered, confident and in control of their lives. Through gentle, reflective and supportive activities, participants are encouraged to rebuild confidence, rediscover their voice and connect with others who understand their experiences.
The programme focuses on helping women:
- Heal and grow after abuse
- Rebuild confidence and self-worth
- Connect with others in a safe and supportive environment
- Take positive steps towards safety, independence and recovery
By supporting NIDAS Local Hero, you’re helping ensure women can continue accessing these life-changing opportunities for healing and personal growth.
More Than a Donation
When someone leaves a message of hope or makes a donation, they’re doing more than supporting a charity.
They’re helping create safe spaces where women feel heard, supported and empowered. They’re helping women build new friendships, gain confidence, learn new skills and take positive steps towards a future free from abuse.
Together, we can help ensure that no woman has to rebuild her life alone.
Recognition for Your Support
As a NIDAS Local Hero, your organisation will be recognised for standing with survivors.
Supporters may be featured through:
- The NIDAS website
- NIDAS social media channels
- Campaign thank-you posts
- Community impact updates
We want to celebrate the businesses and organisations helping create positive change across Mansfield and Ashfield.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost anything to take part?
No. Participation is completely free.
Do we need to organise a fundraiser?
No.
We’re simply asking Local Heroes to provide a small space where people can engage with the campaign.
We’ll provide:
✅ Message of Hope artwork and printables
✅ Donation QR code
✅ Information about NIDAS and our services
✅ Campaign guidance
✅ Recognition as a NIDAS Local Hero
We’ll also provide guidance on displaying a collection bucket if you’d like to collect cash donations.
If you’d like to go a step further by organising a bake sale, raffle, collection day or workplace fundraiser, we’d be incredibly grateful, but this is entirely optional.
Do we need a large space?
No. A small customer-facing area is all that’s needed.
Is there a fundraising target?
No. Every message and every donation matters.
How long does the campaign run?
The campaign runs during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 November to 10 December.
Can community groups take part?
Absolutely. We welcome interest from businesses, community groups, schools, clubs and local organisations.
Register Your Interest
We’re looking to work with a small number of local organisations that want to make a positive difference in their community.
If you’d like to become a NIDAS Local Hero, or would simply like to find out more, we’d love to hear from you.
Together, we can show women and children affected by domestic abuse that they are not alone.