A Very Moving Candlelit Vigil: 27th November 2025
Nine Soroptimist Bristol members joined Next Link’s Candlelit Vigil walk from Queen’s Road to College Green yesterday evening to mark the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
SI Bristol members met at the Victoria Rooms which was illuminated in orange for a photoshoot and were pleased to be joined by some QEH students. We marched from there to Next Link to join a large number of participants.
At Next Link Domestic Abuse Services’ office in Queen’s Avenue we were offered a cup of hot chocolate and collected a candle to take on the walk.
Despite the drizzle which accompanied us, we estimate that approximately 200 people took part on the Candlelit Walk from Queen’s Road holding placards and a lit candle. It was good to see many male allies at the vigil.
At College Green, there were powerful readings given by Sarah O’Leary and Bristol Cllr Carole Johnson. Two candles were lit by young survivors in honour of victims of domestic abuse. Cllr Kerry Bailes and two survivors read very moving poems based on their experiences of abuse. And we were very moved by a beautiful, poignant song, played on the guitar by a singer-songwriter, herself a survivor too.. It was inspirational.
Afterwards the crowd moved to Bristol City Hall to see an art exhibition created by survivors and Hartcliffe & Withywood Community Partnership.
This was a truly moving occasion which raised awareness of the ever increasing issue of abuse against women and girls and the Soroptimist Bristol Club was honoured to participate.