Between April and October 2021, we interviewed 22 former volunteers and staff members from Bristol Crisis Service for Women and Self Injury Support. Below you can listen to a short clip from each interview, hear the full interview or read the transcript.  All of these interviews will be available at the Bishopsgate Institute from Summer 2022 as part of the Bristol Crisis for Women and Self Injury Support Collection.
Trigger warnings: ​These interviews may contain swearing and discussion of self injury, self harm, sexual abuse, childhood sexual abuse, depression, anxiety and suicide.

​​Catherine L, staff, 2002 to 2004

"...there was this growing appreciation of how valuable that could be to have personal experience.”

Clare P, helpline volunteer & staff, 2014 to 2021

"It was kind of like taking calls in someone’s store cupboard...”​

​​Fiona, staff, 2004 to 2018

“I think it was just a really tough nut to crack...”

​​Jess, support services volunteer and staff,
​2018 to present

"There’s so many women out there who want to volunteer...”

Lois, staff, 1994 to 1996

“I asked what experience they’d had in services they’d approached for help...”

Sal, collective member, volunteer, freelance trainer and staff, 1996 to 2021

“I am just equally as passionate today as I was when I started...”

Stephanie, helpline volunteer, management committee, 1995 to 1998

“...anybody who called would be cared for...”

Tessa, helpine volunteer and staff, 1994 to 1996

“... people can be a lot more open on a phone …"

Anonymous, collective member, 1993 to 2000

"I think the training just took me somewhere else...”

Anonymous, researcher and facilitator, 1999-2009

“And we wanted to challenge that perception...”

Anonymous, staff, 2002 to present

“I think I’ve got six or seven redundancy letters over the years” 

​Catherine S, helpline volunteer, 2008 to 2009

"One of the most interesting things that I learnt from it was that...”​

​Clare S, mental health activist

"It was transformative, a complete game-changer...”​

​Jenny, staff, 2008 to 2012

“...people were really encouraged to find their own style”​

Liz, helpline volunteer, 2005 to 2009

“I definitely remember having a transgender caller...”

Melinda, staff, 2004 to 2007

“...it feels like a sort of a gentle activism”

Sarah B, helpline volunteer, 2003 to 2008

“Yes it was a community and … that’s what felt nice...”

Sarah H, collective member, management committee and trustee, 1998 to 2020

“When I had the training, we had training on feminism...”

Suzanne, freelance trainer, counsellor and facilitator, 2000 to present

“Self-injury can be seen as an expression of powerlessness...”

Anonymous, collective member, 1998 to 1992

"...it was something that I’m not sure I’d ever thought about.”

Anonymous, helpline volunteer, 2005-2006

“...everyone’s got these very dated notions of feminism...”

Anonymous, helpline volunteer, 2004-2006

“...it makes me smile every time I think about it...”
Audio files and transcripts for interviewees who wished to remain anonymous can be listened to at Bishopsgate Institute from Summer 2022.