Thanks to tremendous support from readers, businesses and globally recognised faces, two groundbreaking homes will now be completed for women and children fleeing domestic abuse
The Independent launched the campaign driven by its commitment to social justice and a belief that the media has a critical role in addressing the most pressing issues of our time. The campaign captured readers’ attention, bolstered by support from the likes of Queen Camilla, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Joanna Lumley, Sir Patrick Stewart, Ranvir Singh, Rylan, Dermot O’Leary, Olivia Colman, Saffron Hocking and David Morrissey.
Powerful editorial utilising the leading news brand’s digital footprint highlighted the harrowing, complex truths of domestic violence, driving crucial awareness across social media and other media organisations. High-profile figures, including Cherie Blair, Victoria Derbyshire and Nikita Kanda shared hard-hitting personal stories of their own experiences with abuse over the campaign’s 14 weeks.
In October, Geordie Greig, The Independent’s editor-in-chief, announced the campaign had reached its initial goal of £300,000 and that The Independent would continue campaigning after generous donations from Nationwide and Julia Rausing Trust helped take the appeal well over its initial target.
The homes are already under construction, with the first families moving in early 2025. Constructed by Persimmon Homes, the houses will be equipped with discreet security measures, including CCTV and an arson-proof letterbox, ensuring that women and their children — along with any pets — can begin to recover from trauma in a healing, safe environment. The homes will provide an immediate escape route for women and children living in incomprehensible, daily danger.
Alongside the incredible support from celebrities and readers, the campaign has been boosted by a number of generous supporters including Her Majesty The Queen, Sir Keir Starmer and the Cabinet, Julia Rausing Trust, Nationwide, Lloyds Banking Group, Persimmon Homes, N. Sethia Charitable Foundation, Igor Tulchinsky, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York (Sarah’s Trust), Dame Joanna Lumley, Gurinder Chadha, Jung Chang, Sir Mohamed Mansour and Joely Richardson. Those who supported the campaign more broadly include Amanda Pritchard and the NHS England board, The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett Dean of St Paul’s and Penny Mordaunt.
Greig commented: “The Brick by Brick campaign has not only built momentum as a cry for help but it will now build two houses as permanent sanctuaries for women and children who survive domestic abuse.
“This is a wonderful close to The Independent’s campaign with Refuge which has inspired our readers and supporters to give enough money to allow those most in need to escape violence, threats and abuse which we want to end.
“I am inspired by all our team has done and grateful to all our donors.”
