Vickie Robertson has been awarded the British Empire Medal
We are totally thrilled to announce that our Founder and CEO Vickie Robertson has been awarded the British Empire Medal in the King’s birthday honours list, for service to victims of domestic violence and refugees.
Her story is one of overcoming and shows all other child and adult victims of abuse that anything is possible..
*Abuse may impact/change us but it doesn’t define us* Vickie experienced first-hand the gaps in support and services, and the lack of training and understanding of domestic abuse.
Determined to promote change, she set up Kaleidoscopic UK in 2019 to help others in similar situations to find the support they need including children.
We provide threshold free, ongoing survivor-led specialist support via groups, recovery programmes for adults and children, information, training as well as prevention programmes for schools and services.
Vickie was completely surprised to receive a lovely letter in the post, on his majesty’s service to announce she had been awarded the BEM.
“I’m delighted that the award will elevate the charity’s name, especially as we are now extending our services to other parts of the country.
“In a study carried out by the Domestic Abuse Services Commissioner, it was found that peer support like our charity are proven by survivors to offer the most effective support, but they’re also the least funded,” Vickie hopes that her award will open up conversations about abuse further. “It’s so important to remove the taboos around the subject, We have to start supporting more people, challenge the myths and open the conversations.” Ms Robertson manages a Facebook page, Gossip Girls In Action – Wokingham For Refugees. The group raises awareness of refugees in crisis, and mobilises teams of volunteers to transform local houses into homes or collect items/donations. Vickie has helped resettle many refugee families locally as well as raising funds and tons of items through many appeals to help in Greece, Macedonia, France, Syria and beyond. “It’s an honour to support victim-survivors of abuse and refugees along any part of their journey, To see anyone go from surviving to thriving is the biggest reward ever.
