The ceremony was held on Monday 10 November at The Gherkin in London. Attendees from the UK and abroad gathered to acknowledge individuals making significant contributions to social impact and innovation.
SWA, which began in 1974 as Swindon Women’s Aid, has grown into a charity delivering prevention, education and early intervention programmes across the South West. It supports women, men and children experiencing domestic abuse.
Its Children and Young People’s team works with schools to help pupils understand healthy relationships at an age-appropriate level. The Open2Change programme offers support for people who are worried about their own behaviour and the effect it has on others.
The charity also works with employers through its business advisory service, helping them identify possible signs of abuse and support staff safely.
Nicky has played a key role in expanding this wider community model. She has long campaigned for women’s rights and used her term as High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 2018-19 to highlight the scale of domestic abuse locally and the need for coordinated action.
Her influence now extends nationally through her role as Rotary GB&I’s National Lead on Domestic Abuse. She is also involved in the Wiltshire Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Coalition.
Speaking about her award, Nicky said: “It was an honour to be nominated and to receive this award; it is really testament to the dedication, expertise and hard work that every member of staff at SWA puts in each and every day. These are the people who are directly dealing with the pain and aftermath of domestic abuse; the ones who are supporting the women, men and children who have suffered and are helping them rebuild their lives and put an end to it happening again.
“Domestic abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls are national and global emergencies, and are also felt acutely in and across Wiltshire. We can make a difference, but only through working together and with a continued commitment to change to bring about a society where abuse no longer is tolerated.”
Lady Lansdowne, who presented the award, said: “Nicky’s dedication to empowering women and girls, and her determination to say ‘enough is enough’, embodies the very spirit of this award. Through her work and voice, she inspires change and builds bridges of understanding.”
SWA’s work is supported by two volunteer-run fundraising shops in Swindon and Marlborough. Money raised helps sustain the charity’s frontline and preventative services.
More information can be found at www.societywithoutabuse.org.uk
