Posted 12 March 2026
Last week Media Trust marked a major milestone: the tenth anniversary of Women’s Voices, Media Trust’s annual volunteering event supporting charities working with women and girls. This year, we worked with ten incredible charities tackling violence against women, girls and children.
Trigger warning: This article contains references to domestic abuse and violence against women and children.
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) continues to be a national emergency in the UK, with charities working every day to support survivors, challenge dangerous attitudes, and campaign for systemic change.
This year’s event focused on helping those organisations turn stories into campaigns that drive positive change.
To mark the anniversary, we partnered with UN Women UK and Crucible Foundation to produce ten short charity films through our Media Trust Films programme, each highlighting the work of local and national organisations tackling violence against women and girls.
Media Trust’s gift to the sector is truly phenomenal, and I’m incredibly grateful that Jewish Women’s Aid has been a beneficiary.
Jewish Women’s Aid
The films created capture the realities of violence against women and girls today, from survivor support to prevention, advocacy, and community action.
But great storytelling is only the beginning. For these films to drive real impact, they need thoughtful campaign strategies, clear audience insight, and the right platforms to reach them.
So that’s why at Women’s Voices, charity teams worked side-by-side with volunteers from across the media and creative industries to shape the strategic direction of their films, laying the groundwork for campaigns that will bring their films to life in the months ahead.
The day combined creative brainstorming with practical guidance, helping each organisation develop a clearer roadmap for how their film can strengthen the charity’s campaigns, engage supporters, and influence change.
A sentiment echoed throughout the feedback from the day was just how meaningful the experience was for the volunteers who took part. Over 80 volunteers worked alongside the charities – who had travelled from across the UK – offering their time and expertise.
Throughout the day, the teams explored topics like campaign messaging, audience targeting, distribution channels and creative ideas to help maximise the reach and impact of each charity’s film.
From social media strategies to partnership opportunities and press angles, the room was filled with problem solving and creative thinking.
It was truly a powerful experience, hearing heart-rending stories, witnessing extraordinary resilience, and seeing firsthand how these organisations fight every day for victims, survivors, and the families standing beside them.
Fiona, volunteer
It was an honour to be there, surrounded by industry professionals who care. I learned that many of these regional charities are hanging on by a thread, and it’s made me want to go out of my way to support local charities in the future.
Laura, volunteer
Our inspiring keynote this year was delivered by Claire Throssell MBE, who told the room about her lived experience of domestic abuse, and the loss of her sons Jack and Paul, who were killed by their father.
“When I held my sons, I made them one last promise. I said: ‘No more children are going to die like you.’’
Recently named as one of the top 100 women in Westminster, Claire has campaigned tirelessly for 11 years to abolish the presumption of parental involvement from family courts.
Through her ambassador role with Women’s Aid, Claire’s work has resulted in recent judicial reform, ensuring that parents considered a threat to their child’s safety will have their contact limited or entirely revoked.
“We have gone through 6 governments, 9 justice secretaries, and although these people have come and gone, we are still here… We won’t stay silent about domestic abuse anymore. 1 in 4 women. 1 in 5 children.”
Claire’s reflections set the tone for the day. She reminded us all that behind every campaign, every film, and every strategy are real people whose lives are shaped by the work of these charities.
Events like this are so important because it reminds people of why they get involved in the first place, why they chose to campaign, why they chose to fight.
Claire Throssell MBE
While Women’s Voices itself lasts just one day, we’re proud to say that year after year its impact continues long afterwards.
Over the coming months, the ten charities will begin launching their films as part of wider campaigns designed to build momentum to end violence against women and girls.
With the strategies developed at Women’s Voices, these films will not only tell vital stories, they will also help spark conversations, mobilise supporters, and bring greater visibility to the work these charities do.
As Women’s Voices celebrates its tenth anniversary, the message at the heart of the event remains clear: the media and creative industries have a vital role to play in supporting charities and advancing the rights of women and girls.
And this year, that work continues far beyond the room. It continues through the films, campaigns and collaborations that will unfold in the months ahead.
Thank you for putting this event together, for bringing us all together, and for pairing us with incredible volunteers who are passionate about using their professional experience to amplify our charity’s message. We’re incredibly grateful for the ongoing support.
The Survivors Trust
If you’d like to get involved with events like Women’s Voices and are interested in volunteering opportunities with us, please get in touch with Louise at LouiseD@mediatrust.org.
A huge thank you to our keynote speaker Claire, our partners at UN Women UK and Crucible Foundation, and the incredible charities and volunteers who gave their time, expertise, and energy to make Women’s Voices 2026 possible.
Let’s continue to work together purposefully to ensure the voices of women, girls and children are heard long after Women’s Voices and far beyond.
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