The Independent and Refuge join forces to launch a life-changing, first of its kind initiative. The Brick by Brick campaign will see The Independent’s readers coming together with businesses and celebrities to build a home for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.
With a goal of raising £300,000, the emergency appeal, which is backed by a huge list of high-profile names including Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Patrick Stewart, Olivia Colman, Dame Joanna Lumley, Andi Oliver and David Morrissey, will raise funds to build an innovative refuge in partnership with Persimmon Homes.
In the UK today, thousands of women and children live in constant fear, trapped in abusive homes. Tragically, every two hours a woman is turned away from an overburdened refuge, with nowhere else to turn. This might be because she has teenage children, more than two children, pets or complex needs.
Brick by Brick is a response to a crisis that has become even more acute in recent years. Following the global Covid-19 pandemic, calls to Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline have surged by 61%, reflecting the critical need for safe spaces where women can begin to rebuild their lives. The emergency appeal is being launched to help address and raise awareness of these statistics:
- One in four women are affected by domestic abuse in their lifetime
- One woman is killed by an abusive partner or ex every five days, on average (in England and Wales)
- Every week, approximately three women die by suicide as a result of domestic abuse
- Every two minutes, someone turns to Refuge for help
Refuge has been at the forefront of the fight against domestic abuse for more than 50 years, providing lifesaving support and advocacy for women and children in danger. Brick by Brick will help to create a refuge that is not just a roof over heads, but is a place of safety, security and healing. The house, constructed by national housebuilder Persimmon Homes, will be equipped with discreet security measures, including CCTV and an arson-proof letterbox, ensuring that women and their children can begin to recover from trauma in an environment designed with their safety as the paramount concern. The aim is to complete the home in early 2025, providing an immediate escape route for women and children living in incomprehensible, daily danger.
The Independent has launched the campaign based on its commitment to social justice and also a belief that media has a critical role to play in addressing the most pressing issues of our time. It has partnered with Refuge since early 2023, raising awareness of its work and donating advertising to support its campaigns. During the appeal, The Independent will publish news and features about Refuge’s life changing work and include stories from survivors — in order to educate the public about different forms of abuse, and signpost how to seek support. It will be supported by an ad campaign across all of The Independent’s channels, mobilising its huge UK readership of more than 21 million people.
Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief of The Independent said: “I am so proud that this campaign is going to result in having The House The Independent built… with a lot of help from our readers and supporters. It will be a campaign with a permanent legacy as we build a house Brick by Brick for the most vulnerable in society, women who are victims of domestic abuse. This is a terrifying situation for too many people and we are delighted to partner with Refuge who specialise in helping this vulnerable section of society. I hope to create debate and put this crisis at the top of the political agenda to bring about greater awareness in the long term and provide sanctuary as soon as we can. Brick by Brick we promise to bring change.”
British news brands have a long history of campaigning for more case studies you can see our Campaigning Journalism archive.
