suranne jones is lending her voice to a Red Nose Day domestic abuse awareness film that uses anonymised words from female survivors. The film will be broadcast during the live Red Nose Day show from MediaCityUK in Salford, airing on iPlayer and One from 7: 00 p. m. ET on March 20, and for the first time will also be streamed on the ’s official YouTube channel. The project aims to bring survivor testimony into the live fundraiser to urge support for helplines and specialist services.
Suranne Jones lends voice to survivors’ testimonies
The short film gathers anonymised testimony from women supported by Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic abuse organisation, and pairs those real-life words with performances by actors. Suranne Jones joins fellow actors Adjoa Andoh and Helen George in reciting the anonymised material to centre survivors’ lived experience in the Red Nose Day broadcast. The testimonies used in the film come from women helped by Refuge, which runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
Immediate reactions from cast and charities
Adjoa Andoh, actor, said: “Guilt, shame and fear are feelings many survivors of domestic abuse wrestle with, as we heard in the real-life stories that Suranne, Helen and I recounted. It was an honour to be involved with Comic Relief and speak about the life-transforming work it supports so that these courageous survivors can go forward into lives that are safer, kinder and more hopeful of the positive futures they deserve. If you’re able to, please donate what you can this Red Nose Day. Your donation could be a part of helping someone reach the critical support they need, when they feel most alone and when it matters most – thank you. “
Catherine Muge, director of funding at Comic Relief, said: “Across the world, one in three women will experience gender‑based violence in their lifetime. At a time when safety is feeling increasingly fragile for so many, we are deeply grateful to the women involved in this film for their courage in sharing their stories. These conversations are essential, we need to confront the reality of an issue affecting women across the country, every single day. This Red Nose Day, a £10 donation could help answer a call to a domestic abuse helpline, offering vital support to someone worried about their own safety or that of someone they know. With your support, Comic Relief can continue funding brilliant organisations that are working tirelessly to help women live free from fear and harm here in the UK and around the world. “
Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, said: “Survivors’ lived experience informs all of our work at Refuge and we are pleased to be working with Comic Relief to share direct testimonials from some of the courageous women we have supported. By sharing their stories we’re sending a clear message to survivors of domestic abuse – you are not alone, Refuge is here for you, we will listen and we will believe you. “
Context and next steps
The anonymous stories featured in the film were provided by women helped by Refuge, whose National Domestic Abuse Helpline is funded by Comic Relief and was launched in 2003. The helpline offers confidential, non-judgemental support around the clock phone, email and its website to people worried about their safety.
Viewers can watch the Red Nose Day show live from MediaCityUK in Salford at 7: 00 p. m. ET on March 20; the film will appear during that broadcast and, for the first time, will also be available on the broadcaster’s official YouTube channel. As the campaign airs, charities will be monitoring donations and helpline demand; supporters and those affected can expect follow-up messaging from Comic Relief and Refuge about how to give and where to find help. suranne jones’s participation aims to raise visibility for survivors and to drive support when the broadcast reaches audiences nationally.
