Updates and news on projects

COERCIVE CONTROL AWARENESS DAY

13^th October 2026

Coercive Control Awareness Day is an annual event to raise awareness about the patterns of behaviour in relationships which can often be missed or hidden due to their coercive nature.  Many victims and survivors of domestic abuse describe patterns of psychological manipulation, gaslighting, threats, abuse and victim-blaming which are not physical in nature.

Nicky Alberry, Rotary GB&I’s Domestic Abuse and Violence Against the Person Team Lead says,

 “There were 49,557 offences of coercive control recorded by the police in England and Wales in the year ending March 2025. Controlling or coercive behaviour is designed to make a person dependent by isolating them from support, exploiting them, depriving them of independence and regulating their everyday behaviour.  Understand the types of control and help someone seek help.”

Rotary GB&I members can access tools, resources, case studies, and a support guide from the Domestic Abuse and Violence Against the Person Team in the members’ area (login required): https://rotarygbi.org/members/projects/domestic-abuse/.

For specialist support, please visit:

https://womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/coercive-control/

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

World Mental Health Day

10^th October 2026

World Mental Health Day was first observed in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health. In the UK, according to the Big Mental Health Report 2025 The Big Mental Health Report 2025 - Centre for Mental Health, since 2016 there has been a deterioration of mental health in the UK and calls for urgent action to address the social inequalities and factors which contribute to poor mental health.

Nicky Alberry, Rotary GB&I’s Domestic Abuse and Violence Against the Person Team Lead says,

“World Mental Health Day and ongoing UK campaigns highlight how domestic abuse severely harms mental health, driving high rates of PTSD, depression, and suicide while exposing gaps in generic NHS care. Help someone access support today”.

Rotary GB&I members can access tools, resources, case studies, and a support guide from the Domestic Abuse and Violence Against the Person Team in the members’ area (login required): https://rotarygbi.org/members/projects/domestic-abuse/.

For specialist support, please visit:

Contact Us | Samaritans

We're Mind, the mental health charity | Mind

Republic of Ireland - Aware and Samaritans Ireland

Organ Donation Week

Rotary Clubs will be championing the above which is between 21 and 27 September.

It will take just two minutes to sign up which could save the lives of up to nine people. 

www.organdonation.nhs.uk/get-involved/organ-donation-campaigns/organ-donation-week

Resources to help promote this are:

- Key messages

- Rotary & Organ Donation Week logo

- It takes 2 minutes image

- Most people image

- Template press release

Contact Andy Jarrett to arrange a speaker for your club's meeting or get more support and ideas  

Rotary Christmas Toy Box Appeal

The 2025 initiative raised over £97,000 which helped deliver boxes of toys to over 3,200 children Nationally. Now in its third year, we want to make an even bigger impact this winter.

The Rotary Christmas Toy Box Appeal is an initiative made possible through the support of our valued partner, Kids in Mind. For every £30 donation, a box of gender and age-appropriate toys worth approximately £80 to a child in refuge is provided.

Get involved and help to bring festive joy to children in refuge this Christmas!

Big Space Cancer Appeal

Cancer touches us all, with a predicted 40% increase in the UK by 2035. Already, 100 new patients each week from across our District are diagnosed through the Regional Centre in Cheltenham. 

This district wide project led by Gillian Hayward and other members of Rotary Club of Cotswold Tyndale aims help to make this an easier experience by ensuring great holistic support, and better mental health for patients and their families

The project is running in parallel with Gloucestershire Hospitals' Big Space Appeal, with regular communication and cooperation between the two teams. 

Latest good news:

1. A massive £221,000, including a Global Grant of £58,000 has already been raised. Not far to go to achive the goal of £250,000.

2. Cheryl Harrison has been appointed to the Psychotherapist / Community Engagment Lead that the project is funding for rwo years.

The ITSA Great Mouse Hunt - 30 January 2027

Information about this exciting project is here.