In her role as CEO of Quetzal, Deborah Knight reflects on the charity’s inaugural Week of Activism 2024, held from September 23 to 30.

This week was devoted to raising awareness and supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). With a central theme focused on community involvement and collaboration, the campaign aimed to better support female survivors on their healing journeys. Coinciding with Quetzal's 35th birthday, this week not only celebrated the charity’s longstanding commitment to survivors but also marked a new chapter in its advocacy efforts.

Saturday, 21 September – 100k in 24 hours

My week kicked off early with a blend of fitness and activism at the Equinox Run. I signed up for this challenge to fundraise for Quetzal, aiming to run 100 km within 24 hours. Arriving around 9:30am, I helped set up our tent, feeling the excitement built as we prepared for the day. After three months of training, the moment I had been waiting for had finally arrived.
The run officially started at noon, and with an incredible atmosphere and encouraging weather, I managed to run five 10k loops between 12pm – 12am.

Sunday, 22 September – Powering through!

The real challenge came after midnight when the rain began to pour, turning the course into a slippery challenge. Running turned into a battle of endurance, but despite aching legs and little sleep, I pushed through a couple more laps that morning. It was tough, but every step was for Quetzal. By the end of the day, I had covered a total of 84km - an accomplishment that filled me with pride.

Monday, 23 September – A new face at Quetzal

Monday heralded the official start of our Week of Activism, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the vital need for accessible support for CSA survivors and fostering community involvement.

The day started with a warm welcome for Carla, our new trustee, as she began her induction at Quetzal. It’s always encouraging to bring new perspectives and skills into the team, especially during such a critical period.

In the afternoon, I shifted focus to our partnership work funded by the Lloyds Bank Foundation, meeting with two other local charities to discuss ongoing work in our influencing project. This partnership is crucial as we work to expand our reach and improve access to services for survivors.

Tuesday, 24 September – Strengthening women’s networks

Tuesday brought an opportunity to deepen connections within the community. I attended a networking meeting for “Supporting Women Together,” an initiative to bring various women’s organisations across Leicester closer together. This project aims to foster stronger links, ensuring that no woman, falls through the cracks of support.

Listening to the experiences of other organisations reinforced how vital collaboration is to our work. Together, we are more effective in addressing the intersectional needs of women, and our collective effort is crucial to creating a safer, more supportive environment in Leicester.

Wednesday, 25 September – Some planning and creativity

Wednesday was all about planning and creativity. In the morning, I met with our landlord to discuss extending Quetzal’s lease. As our services expand, having a secure, stable space for counselling and operations is vital.

Later in the day, I participated in a workshop organized by LilTitsy, led by Melin Edomwonyi. This engaging session encouraged participants to reflect on what it means to be a woman in today’s world - whether as a daughter, mother, woman colour, woman of faith, or queer woman. We explored words that resonate deeply and worked on crafting our own declarations to share with the world.

Thursday, 26 September – WFH and fundraising

After a flurry of activity over the past few days, Thursday offered a welcome opportunity to regroup. I settled into my home office, allowing me to catch up on the numerous emails that had piled up. Between drafting project reports and working on fundraising bids, I reflected on the vital importance of funding for sustaining our services.

This Week of Activism has been instrumental in raising funds, thanks to the incredible efforts of our team and collaborators, including Get Mouthy Leicester, The Space to Breathe Collective, Cathie Rae, LilTitsy, and The Cuisine of India - Wigston. Their support has been instrumental in the success of the Week of Activism and continues to be vital as we strive to offer free, long-term counselling for survivors.

Friday, 27 September – Quetzal’s book launch

Friday was a day of exciting growth and new beginnings. We launched Quetzal's very own anthology, a result of the Healing Words project, where 14 CSA survivors collaborated with Global Wordsmiths over six weeks to share their stories. The Healing Words anthology features five powerful narratives that reflect their journeys and resilience.
During the day I also met with one of our new placement counsellors, who was starting her journey with her first client. Building a strong team is essential to supporting survivors, and it’s always gratifying to welcome new talent into our midst.

From navigating rain-soaked trails to creative workshopping, each day presented its own set of challenges and victories. It’s these experiences that I cherish most about my role at Quetzal. I am deeply grateful for our community, our team, and, above all, the survivors whose courage motivates us every day.

The road ahead is long, but with solidarity and support, we’ll continue to stand strong, advocate, and grow for another 35 years and beyond!

---