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Blog | 01 October 2025

Survivors' Network BTS: Talking Training with Helen Race

Catching Up with Our Training and Partnerships Officer

Yes, we may be biased, but we truly believe that it’s our team – from therapists to volunteers – who make Survivors’ Network the supportive, empowering, and heart-led service it is.

Despite their busy schedules, I’ve recently managed to grab a few minutes with members of our team to ask some questions that I hope will give our community a glimpse into the incredible people who make up Survivors’ Network.

First up, I spoke with Helen Race, one of our longest-serving team members, whose drive, tenacity, and resilience in the face of such demanding work inspires us all.

Last year, Helen drew on her extensive knowledge and experience in service delivery to take our training sessions to the next level with her move into the role of Training and Partnerships Officer.

“So Helen, How did you get into this role?”

“I’ve been working at Survivors’ Network for a reeeeeeally long time now. I’m a trained therapist and have worked in sexual and domestic violence support services, therapeutic services, Adult Social Care, services that work alongside the criminal justice system and process, and all kinds of other places!
I was managing the Independent Sexual Violence Advisors at Survivors’ Network when this job came up, and I figured it’d be a great opportunity for me to bring all of my knowledge, learning and experience together and share it with others, which may help create social change.
I also used to be extremely shy, so it’s exciting to be in a place now where I feel comfortable chatting away to groups of people now.”

“What’s your favourite part of the job?”

“Getting to meet with different people, different organisations and have really interesting, meaningful and sensitive discussions about important matters, and topics I care a lot about.
And if anyone gains anything from the training, that may mean they will be more sensitive to survivors, and a better ally around these issues, then that is something that can keep me endlessly motivated, when working in a sector that can be quite difficult to exist in at times.”

Do you have a favourite session you deliver?”

“This is honestly hard to answer! I really like all of them! Our sessions on Sensitive Reporting of Sexual Violence that I delivered to groups of journalists was a highlight. I care so much about that, as it is a group we have previously struggled to engage with, and how things are presented [in the media] can really shape the public’s understanding and responses.
However, I do like all of them; they each have a slightly different feel, depending on the session and the group. The Pre-trial Therapy session for counselors and therapists is also very thoughtful and reflective. We have an all-day Supporting Survivors in Higher Education training for university support staff, which feels quite energised and buzzy.
Oh and of course, the Self-Care in Trauma Exposed Roles session can bring up some important conversations, but is overall a really lovely session that generates some really lovely conversations. In short (long), I don’t have a favourite!”

If you are interested in having a chat with Helen about training opportunities for your team, your organisation or community group, do not hesitate to get in touch at training@survivorsnetwork.org.uk. Follow Helen on LinkedIn to see more of her incredible work and keep up to date.