The director of a parents' counselling charity, which has launched an emergency fundraiser amid ongoing financial pressures, has posted an emotional video of her receiving a grant rejection to show her “vulnerability” and that of the organisation.

Frome Birth Talk director Suzy Cristinacce said that she had “hesitated” before posting the video of her receiving the large grant rejection “because it shows my vulnerability — and the vulnerability of Frome Birth Talk, the mental health charity I’ve led for five years”.

She is seen in the video reading an email aloud from a funder to inform the charity that its application has been rejected as it is only able to fund one in nine eligible applicants.

“Welcome to the world of small charity fundraising,” a tearful Cristinacce says to camera.

In posting the video she said it “isn’t a criticism of the funder” which has “supported us before and offer unrestricted funding (gold dust)” adding that while the charity’s “application was strong; there just wasn’t enough money”.

She adds that the Somerset based charity has an ambitious ten year plan to expand support or families and raise awareness of parental mental health and had delivered 155 counselling course last year and four weekly drop in sessions for just over £80,000.



In launching an emergency fundraiser to continue its support the charity is asking for £10,000 by 11 October to ensure it can keep its counselling waiting list open to new referrals. Already it has received £8,520, as of the afternoon of 8 October.

It adds that hitting the target of £20,000 would give the charity “valuable breathing space” as it continues to look for long term funding.

Cristinacce added: “Running a small charity right now is a daily act of hope. Despite disappointments like the one in this video, we keep going. Because without hope, we are nothing.”

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