I know this is a bit of an old poll that has not been commented on in a while but...

I really love the idea of wearing an anonymous but discretely recognisable / distinctive havoca bracelet. That signifies havoca members being ‘in my pocket’ to help give me the strength to cope with triggering situations. To remind me I am not alone and that I matter as a human being.

I hadn’t heard the phrase ‘in your pocket’ before I found this site and I was overwhelmed with the kindness of a member saying this to me when I was dealing with a difficult situation related to my abuse. (thank you @rachelle)

Obviously it wouldnt make much money for the site if only havoca forum members bought them. But if it started out like that. How wonderful would it be if it grew into buying someone a havoca bracelet becoming a symbol of letting someone know you were ‘in their pocket’ as a symbol of love and kindness and that person never being alone.
I think this is something everyone can understand and relate to. And at the same time help raise awareness for havoca and adult victims of child abuse / money for havoca in a way that is less scary for everyone.

Has ‘in your pocket’ been coined for anything else? / is it associated with anything else in particular?

Obviously a bracelet is on your wrist and not in your pocket like your phone but still, I really love this phrase

It might need refining a bit but can anyone see this having legs??? Maybe just wishful thinking on my part!

Dot xx

I think I chose the option of 51p to £1, but would actually pay more than that now. Could you maybe let us know how much we'd need to pay to make it do-able?.

Hi Guys, sorry, not deliberately leaving you in the dark. As you can see from the poll not many people would buy or wear them. Notwithstanding that, the cost most people would be willing to pay (£1) no way covers the cost.

I'll post up prices later when I'm back home.

Jamie

Hi Jamie, I'm still at a loss, You have obviously priced these up and must know how much they will cost to make, So please publish the costs (with a profit) to us, and lets take it from there. I want one!!!

tracker

Hey

I think this is a really good idea. I hear what everyone is saying about not wanting awkward questions and not wanting people to find out, I'm exactly the same - nobody knows about my abuse and I never want my family to find out because it was another family member that abused me. But couldn't people just say that they bought it because the money raised is going to a charity which helps victims of child abuse? No more information than that has to be disclosed..

I think Jamie has a really good point that just because people wear help for heroes bands, doesn't mean they fought in the war and have PTSD, they are just raising awareness and raising money for charity.

I didn't know this site even existed until my counsellor suggested I check it out, I think raising awareness is so important. Even if it helps one adult learn about the site, join and start coming to terms with what happened to them as a child, it will be worth it.

Just saying

Kim x

Yeah I know what you mean - that's why I thought if they did provide say 100 for free ...you could see if you could sell those and if only half were sold then it's profit without the investment, and also over 12 months or so you could see how they really work or not work ! Might be more hassle than it's worth though, and I get that too

Thinking cap back on in terms of generating funds and awareness

Jamie

I wish I could afford to donate the cost of buying the bands or even donating some more to Havoca

Will try and do so soon

Jml

Yeah, most companies do a try before you buy.

But there are two more fundemantal issues: firstly people not wanting to wear them and secondly people unable to pay for them. That means any we do buy will have to be funded by HAVOCA and for that to happen we have to be sure of a return in our investment. In our case the investment would be raising awareness and reaching out to more victims. If the bands arent going to be worn then they don't represent a good investment.

Likewise, If they arent worn but they do make a profit then they would also be a good investment.

Jamie

What if we contacted some suppliers and asked them if they would be willing to donate a few - a sort of try before you buy? Makes sense from a sales perspective for the company and maybe a long shot if they agreed, but if you don't ask you never get ! Maybe ..

X

thorninmyside wrote:Where can I get one?

easy tiger! We haven't had any made yet. This poll was to see if they would be a good investment or not. The debate has left me undecided.
Jamie

Where can I get one?

I personally can see the benefit of having such an item to raise awareness for havoca, though i do have reservations including some of the ones written above re concern of others such as collegues/friends who don't know my past, but in the same breath why should i hide and as Jamie states, it is a cause you believe in. It is important that identifiable information should not be written on sites such as this due to risk of internet 'abuse'. However that is for individuals to decide.
I also appreciate the bands for causes but is there not too many of them? and I wonder if their popularity has wained some what. I know it is not about trends, but trends are where the revenue comes from.

I personally would wear something with the name or symbol on, but probably not a rubber wrist band as at work jewlery etc should not be worn, and second, due to certain coping strategies i generally wear longsleeves so it would be hidden.

One day I would like to think I will be able to stand proud and convey the important message of raising awareness of abuse.

Liz wrote:What might have been more helpful ...was if we could have read other people's comments before voting. Sometimes it helps to see the other side of the coin - to weigh up other points of view before leaping in. Now I know other people's views could sway one's decision but I felt a bit like a bulb ie voting in the dark!

I voted No. However, having read other points of view I would probably have voted yes. Sometimes I feel I need other people's points of view to make a more balanced decision and to offer up a point of view I might well have not even considered.

I might even wear such a band and wear it with pride. I think I have come thus far in my journey that I could say what it meant. So...my vote is a YES Jamie.

Liz x

You can change your vote whenever you like - just re-select the answer you want on the poll.

Well I might look into it - I think they cost about £1.20 to make so there wouldn't be any profit in them...unless we sold enough then we could buy in bulk.

Claudine, feel free to look into the etsy thing. I've never heard of it, so over to you

I'd happily buy & wear one; and if you need volunteers, would sell- maybe at a festival- food festival- there are loads around the UK in the summer. I'm not far from Bristol but it's not my city, so I'd feel quite anonymous anyway & I think the subject of child abuse (or power abuse towards others in relationships) touches most people's lives & I think therefore you'd find strangers warm & supportive, and would give money. I'm not sure what the bands cost but maybe do a minimum donation of 50p.