Charity News: A Powerful Collaboration Sparked at Our Reset & Rise Conference

One of the most meaningful outcomes to emerge from our recent Reset & Rise Conference was a serendipitous connection made at our event last February, where local marketing consultant Olivia Parker of Storyteller Marketing discovered the work of IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services), the Yorkshire-based domestic abuse and sexual violence charity.

IDAS provides a free, confidential helpline, community-based support, and emergency refuge accommodation for anyone needing to flee abuse. Each year, they support thousands of women, children, and men across the region.

At the heart of Yorkshire Ladies Links events is a simple but powerful aim: to bring together like-minded women in welcoming spaces across Yorkshire, encouraging connection, collaboration, and shared purpose.

Reflecting on the event, IDAS said:

“In a time where women are playing an impossible role, the event felt like a pivotal point for women to regroup and recalibrate, and its stellar lineup of speakers did just that with the likes of Christa Ackroyd and Christine Talbot speaking about our time being now as women.”

Following Christa Ackroyd’s opening address, Olivia was visibly moved as she visited the exhibitor stands, where she met Emma from the IDAS team. After an extended conversation lasting around twenty minutes, Olivia left deeply impacted and determined to support the charity in a meaningful way.

Speaking about her motivation, Olivia said:

“I am grateful to Melanie, the Founder of Yorkshire Ladies Links. I had not been aware of the work of this beautiful charity in the community. No woman should ever feel fear; fear in saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing and worrying about the ramifications of her words or actions and yet in 2026, it appears that this awful state of affairs is much too common. I am incredibly proud to be raising money for this charity, which means so much to me and I’m doing so by jumping out of the sky on Saturday, 4th July in Bridlington as I endeavour to raise awareness and money for those who need it most. I got you girls.”

IDAS is recognised as the leading specialist domestic abuse service in Yorkshire, supporting thousands of people affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence every year. In 2025 alone, the charity answered 29,500 helpline calls and supported 8,000 people across North Yorkshire, Barnsley, and Sheffield, while also providing refuge accommodation and dispersed housing for hundreds more.

Their services include intensive safety planning, crisis intervention, advocacy through family and criminal justice systems, and ongoing emotional support to help survivors rebuild their lives. IDAS also supports individuals affected by female genital mutilation (FGM), trafficking, and so-called honour-based abuse, alongside delivering specialist sexual violence services through Independent Sexual Violence Advisors.

Corporate and community partnerships remain essential to sustaining this work. Support from local businesses such as Storyteller Marketing enables IDAS to fund emergency assistance, recovery programmes, and vital frontline services that help survivors take safe steps away from abuse.

To find out more or get involved, visit IDAS: www.idas.org.uk

You can also support Olivia Parker’s fundraising skydive by donating via her campaign page. Olivia Parker is fundraising for IDAS

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