Local Bath Trauma Charity Wins the Pavilion

Following a public vote the winner of the Better Leisure/Bath Chronicle ‘Win the Pavilion’ competition is local charity Breakthrough.

The small but growing charity supports survivors of trauma and abuse. It provides therapy, befriending and support groups for survivors, as well as training for individuals and organisations in how to help to those who are suffering from the long term effects of trauma.

Breakthrough chief executive Giles Lascelle was over the moon when the news was broken to him on Monday (September 30).

When asked what this would mean to Breakthrough he said: “This will help us to expand the services and help us to help so many more people.

“I am shocked as we are such a small charity, this is such wonderful news.”

The competition was launched in August and inundated with entries. A panel of judges narrowed these down to a shortlist of seven worthy causes, with the ultimate winner decided via a public vote.  Breakthrough won by a clear margin, receiving 31 per cent of the vote, with the runner up taking 23 per cent.

The prize Breakthrough has won, courtesy of charitable social enterprise and leisure operator Better includes use of the Bath Pavilion auditorium and lounge, stage, dressing room and cafe/kitchen for any event of its choice.

Included is room hire, tables and chairs, use of the screen and projector and an in-house PA and lighting.

Suppliers to Bath Pavilion will also contribute to the prize including two security guards; £500 off the standard three-course menu; and two kegs of Gem beer.

Built in 1910, Bath Pavilion is an impressive Edwardian period building, constructed in sandstone, typical of most of Bath’s architecture. Its vast internal proportions offer a unique and versatile space to suit all types of formal and informal events. It has hosted many world class performers over the decades from The Beatles, Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix, to Paloma Faith and The Kaiser Chiefs. It is also home to Bath Rugby Club’s corporate hospitality throughout the session.

Jennifer Jacob, Better General Manager at Bath Pavilion added: “This is the first time we have run such an initiative in partnership with the Chronicle and Bath Live and delighted to be in a position to help a local charity with its fundraising efforts. We look forward to working with Breakthrough over the coming months to help them create a fantastic and memorable fundraising event at Bath Pavilion.”

More than one in five people were abused as children and around one in four experience domestic violence, according to Breakthrough.

Countless others have suffered trauma whether from car accidents, sexual assault, or other causes.

The impact of trauma is huge, and there’s little support available for those struggling with the effects, the charity says.

Survivors suffer from depression, anxiety, addictions, eating disorders and a whole range of mental health problems.

With so many people struggling every day without access to specialist help, it is left to organisations like Breakthrough to provide the support that people need.

However, it is often operating at capacity, and isn’t able to help as many people as it would like.

With the competition win, Breakthrough plans to put on a charity dinner and fundraiser auction so that it can help more survivors of trauma and abuse.