Keep The Drums And Lose The Knife (KDLK) is a survivor-led Community Interest Company (CIC) based in the London Borough of Southwark. We are committed to supporting survivors of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), while also providing capacity-building services for frontline professionals working with affected and at-risk communities. Our work also extends to addressing related issues such as forced marriage and child marriage. As an organisation founded and led by FGM survivors, we use our lived experiences to raise awareness, educate, and empower both communities and professionals across England and Wales. Through open dialogue and culturally sensitive engagement, we aim to break the silence around harmful practices and promote healing, advocacy, and systemic change. In 2024, KDLK delivered a number of impactful programmes designed to support FGM survivors and vulnerable members of our community. We coordinated weekly workshops and one-to-one safe support sessions specifically tailored for survivors of FGM and domestic abuse. These sessions provided safe, confidential environments where survivors could begin their healing journeys, develop coping strategies, and receive both emotional and practical support from trained professionals. In addition to individual support, we hosted fortnightly group discussions involving survivors, their partners, and wider community members in Southwark. These sessions were designed to reduce stigma and isolation, allowing participants to connect through shared experiences and build a supportive peer network. The sessions encouraged survivors to realise they are not alone and helped bridge the gap between affected individuals and the broader community. Since May 6th, 2020, our "Reaching Out to Your Community" Food Support Service has been addressing food insecurity among refugees, asylum seekers, and low-income families in Southwark. In 2024, this programme continued to provide weekly distributions of essential supplies to those in need. Our food parcels include fresh fruit and vegetables, pasta and rice, cooked meals, meats and poultry, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and baby items. Additionally, we offer supermarket vouchers to help families meet other basic needs, such as utility top-ups and personal hygiene items not covered in our regular distributions. This service has become a vital lifeline for many vulnerable residents in Peckham and beyond. In 2024, we also delivered two health outreach workshops in Peckham focused on raising awareness around harmful practices and promoting sexual health. These workshops provided information on the dangers of FGM, early/forced marriage, and child marriage, as well as education on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. The sessions were developed in collaboration with local healthcare professionals to ensure accurate, accessible information was provided to our refugee and asylum-seeking communities. KDLK is committed to creating safer, more informed, and more inclusive communities. As survivors ourselves, we remain dedicated to empowering other survivors, advocating for their rights, and working toward the eradication of harmful practices. Through education, outreach, and community-based support, we aim to ensure that no survivor ever feels alone in their trauma or healing journey

Our key stakeholders include survivors of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, and child marriage, as well as refugees, asylum seekers, community members, and the dedicated volunteers who support our work. Throughout 2024, we engaged these stakeholders through a variety of channels, particularly during our workshops, group sessions, and outreach events. We invited participants to share their feedback through open discussions, one-on-one conversations, and anonymous surveys. These consultations were designed to give stakeholders a voice in shaping the services they rely on. The feedback we received was both constructive and insightful. Stakeholders expressed a clear need for expanded service offerings, especially more targeted support for victims of forced and child marriage. Many also highlighted the importance of making our services more accessible and flexible, particularly for individuals facing language barriers, mobility challenges, or cultural isolation. In addition, there was a strong call for enhanced emotional and psychological support to help survivors navigate trauma and begin their healing journeys. Community members and volunteers also recommended stronger outreach efforts, especially to reach newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers who may not yet be aware of available support. Volunteers shared that they would benefit from ongoing training to better serve survivors with sensitivity and confidence. We are now using this feedback to improve the quality and scope of our services. Our commitment to listening and responding to the voices of those we serve ensures that our work remains survivor-led, community-focused, and responsive to the real needs of our stakeholders.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration