Social Quiztancing

I know. ANOTHER quiz?! Anyone else go in too hard too early and committed to quizzing at least once a week for the past 30 weeks? Or however long lockdown has lasted...

This should be a bit different, and if it's not, I promise your money back (not really, this is for charity).

I am hosting a virtual ‘pub’ quiz to bring family and friends together for a fun night of quizzing and drinking, which should hopefully be a bit different to your usual Saturday night Zoom quiz where Auntie Ida's fallen asleep, Grandma's screen has frozen and she's on the phone to your brother trying to work out how to rejoin, Uncle Ross is drunk and slurring the questions (actually this might still happen), mum and dad are arguing over who first stepped foot on the moon, and the dog's just pooed under the table because no one remembered to take him out today.

All the while, raising valuable and vital funds for two important and incredible charities - Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse, and Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre (OSARCC).

Amazingly with the magic of Zoom, your team can consist of people in different households! So you can join a team with your friends and let your family suffer on their own (it's OK, you never know any answers anyway because Uncle Ross thinks it's still the 1980s). Please sign up to take part in the quiz here, and you'll receive the picture round and joining information: forms.gle/FmeuvuPXQUaYv81fA

It is free to partake in the quiz, however, I am suggesting a donation of £2 per entrant. Many people have been affected financially over the last few months, so I would never expect people to stretch themselves and struggle after donating, but any contribution made will be hugely beneficial and appreciated by these two charities.

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Reducing the Risk runs the Oxfordshire IDVA (independent domestic violence advisory) service, working with high-risk victims of domestic abuse (at risk of serious harm or death). They also have a highly-respected and recognised training service, of which I am thrilled to be part of. Now more than ever, Reducing the Risk needs and values any donations - to be able to continue providing high-risk victims with the support and resources they need, and to run training services to ensure professionals, volunteers, friends, family and neighbours have the awareness, knowledge and skills to support those experiencing domestic abuse.

OSARCC provide a listening service, counselling support, ISVA (independent sexual violence advisory) service and support groups to survivors of rape, sexual abuse and violence. During lockdown, many people will be experiencing increased sexual violence and abuse, experiencing further trauma and flashbacks, and not receiving the usual support they may normally have access to. The charity has been heavily impacted by the current situation but has continued to work during this challenging period, finding ways to support victims and survivors remotely. Any donations will be invaluable in allowing OSARCC to continue the amazing work they do.

Both are ‘small’ charities, not only working on a local level but also influencing national campaigns, policy, practice and training. The impact is far-reaching, and I have seen first hand how these two organisations are changing people’s lives every day. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and taking part in my quiz (sorry, all other ideas were taken).