Suffolk Building Society and Lighthouse Charity win silver at the Smiley Charity Film Awards
Pictured, from left to right, are Luke Littleboy (head of marketing, Suffolk Building Society), Deb Johnson (business and fundraising manager, Lighthouse), Sally Winston (chief executive, Lighthouse) and Rachel Prendergast (producer, SubMotion). Photo: Suffolk Building Society.
Suffolk Building Society has announced that its film, created in collaboration with the Suffolk-based charity Lighthouse Women’s Aid, won the Silver award in the “Corporate Cause” category at the prestigious Smiley Charity Film Awards.
The film features real survivor testimonies and shines a spotlight on the vital work of Lighthouse, a charity dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic abuse across the region.
By telling these powerful stories, the film aims to raise awareness and drive meaningful conversations about domestic abuse, an issue that often goes unspoken.
Suffolk Building Society created the film as part of its Safe Homes for Suffolk Campaign, which supports people facing homelessness, social isolation, and domestic abuse in Suffolk.
The film was produced by SubMotion Productions, which has worked with charities and corporates across the region to tell emotive stories.
The Smiley Charity Film Awards, renowned as the world’s largest cause-based film festival, recognise and celebrate films that promote charitable causes and align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Lighthouse’s film was selected from a pool of entries, including submissions from organisations such as the John Lewis Partnership, Purina pet foods, Canon, Payroll Giving Month, and Cambridge University Press.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have received the Silver award for this film,” said Richard Norrington, the CEO at Suffolk Building Society.
“It was an honour to work alongside Lighthouse as part of our Safe Homes for Suffolk Campaign.
“Their tireless efforts in supporting domestic abuse survivors make a real difference to women and children in the region. This film is a testament to their hard work, and we are proud to play a role in raising awareness of such an important issue.”
Sally Winston, the chief executive of Lighthouse, added: “We’re over the moon to have received this recognition.
“The film has been invaluable in our courses and educational sessions for clients, and it’s also been a key tool for fundraising.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved at Suffolk Building Society for helping us share the voices of survivors and amplify the message of hope and support.”
Rachel Prendergast, the producer at SubMotion Productions, said: “Telling difficult stories is what we love to do.
“We’ve had the privilege of working with many remarkable charities and corporates across Norfolk and Suffolk and having the opportunity to give domestic abuse survivors a voice is a responsibility we took very seriously.”
Suffolk Building Society will be promoting the film on social media, to help educate the public and inspire action.
The film is available for viewing on YouTube (viewer discretion is advised) here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoiMhqehvyk
For more information about Lighthouse and its ongoing work supporting domestic abuse survivors, please visit www.lighthousewa.org.uk/