After NO MORE Week: 5 Ways We Can Keep Showing Up for Survivors All Year

As NO MORE Week comes to a close, many of us are left with the same question: how do we keep the momentum going once the campaign posts and events end?

At Time to Heal, we believe change is built in the ordinary moments—when a neighbour checks in, a colleague notices something isn’t right, or a friend chooses to listen without judgement. Awareness weeks matter, but survivors need steady, ongoing support every week of the year.

1) Keep learning what abuse can look like

Domestic abuse isn’t always physical. It can include coercive control, isolation, financial control, threats, monitoring, and constant criticism that slowly erodes someone’s confidence. Continuing to learn helps us recognise patterns early and respond with care.

Try this: choose one reliable resource to read this month, and share it with someone you trust. Small ripples of understanding make it easier for survivors to be believed.

2) Practise being a “safe supporter”

Many survivors share that the hardest step is deciding who might be safe to tell. We can all become safer people to confide in—not by having perfect answers, but by being calm, kind, and consistent.

• Listen without pushing for details.
• Believe what you’re told.
• Ask what they need rather than taking over.
• Avoid judgement about staying, leaving, or returning.

Support is not a single conversation. It’s the message, repeated gently over time: “I’m here. You’re not alone.”

3) Save and share helpline information (before it’s needed)

When someone is in crisis, it can be hard to search for help—especially if their phone or internet use is monitored. Having key numbers written down or saved somewhere safe can make a real difference.

UK support: National Domestic Abuse Helpline (run by Refuge): 0808 2000 247 (24/7). If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

If you’re outside the UK, look for your country’s national domestic abuse helpline and local services in your area.

4) Create safer spaces in everyday settings

Survivors often reach out in places that feel “normal”: schools, workplaces, GP surgeries, community groups, faith settings, and sports clubs. We can help those spaces become more supportive by normalising kindness and clear signposting.

• Put up discreet information about support services (where appropriate).
• Encourage policies that protect confidentiality and safety.
• Challenge victim-blaming language when you hear it.
• Check in on people who have become isolated.

5) Support survivor-led recovery—at their pace

Healing is not linear. Some days are strong; others are heavy. The most powerful support often looks like patience: showing up, keeping promises, and respecting a survivor’s choices as they rebuild safety and confidence.

If you’re supporting someone, it’s okay to feel unsure. What matters is staying grounded and connected to specialist services when needed.

One last thing: community care changes lives

NO MORE Week reminds us that domestic abuse thrives in silence and isolation. We can be part of a different story—one where survivors are met with dignity, options, and steady support.

If you’d like to get involved with Time to Heal—through volunteering, fundraising, partnership, or learning opportunities—please reach out. We’re building a community where healing is possible, and no one has to do it alone.

If you are experiencing abuse, you deserve support and safety. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.