Students and staff choose Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre as first Chancellor’s Charity

University of Gloucestershire is delighted to announce the Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre as the first Chancellor’s Charity following a vote by students and staff.

Lord Michael Bichard (pictured), the Chancellor of the University, has launched the new initiative to empower the University community to unite around a worthy cause and help to further expand the institution’s charitable activities.

All staff and students at the University were encouraged to submit nominations for the Chancellor’s Charity and a shortlist of five was then compiled by a group comprising Lord Bichard, the Students’ Union, staff and members of the University executive.

The shortlist was then put to staff and students to vote on and the Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRSAC) – the only dedicated support organisation of its kind in the county – polled highest overall.

Founded in 1984, the GRSAC provides free and confidential emotional and practical support to people in Gloucestershire affected by rape, sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives, and works to educate the public about the nature of sexual violence and its impact. 

The service, which relies on trained volunteers, has grown considerably in recent years in response to the increased number of women and girls seeking its support.

Lord Bichard said: “We’ve launched the Chancellor’s Charity programme so that together everyone at the University was able to feel a sense of attachment around an organisation performing valuable work that’s making a huge difference to so many people’s lives.

“The Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre has been providing support to people in the local community for nearly 40 years and I cannot think of an organisation that’s more deserving of being the University’s first Chancellor’s Charity.

“We’re looking forward to working closely with GRASAC and to building a supportive relationship that will help them to continue their valuable work.”

Dr Matthew Andrews, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Governance and Student Affairs) at the University, said: “I have been absolutely thrilled with the positive response from staff and students to the idea of a Chancellor’s Charity.

“It was heartening to see such a large number of nominations for our first such charity and good too to see such strong engagement with the voting process for the shortlist.

“Each one of the shortlisted charities is undertaking valuable work, helping to improve the lives of residents of Gloucestershire and beyond and supporting people in their times of need.

“Of course, supporting the Chancellor’s Charity will be entirely voluntary for staff and students and any existing links with charities will not be affected in any way.”

The Chief Executive of the Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, Gilli Appleby, said: “Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre is delighted to be the very first benefactor of the Chancellor’s Charity initiative.  

“We are an independent charity providing free confidential support and information services to those living in Gloucestershire, affected by any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives.   

“This relationship with University of Gloucestershire will not only benefit GRASAC’s clients and services thanks to the fundraising activities of students and staff but offers an opportunity for GRASAC to raise awareness about rape and sexual violence, and to change the narrative around sexual violence across the university community.”