Domestic Abuse Helpline

With an increase in demand for their services during lockdown, Refuge approached us to create an explainer film to inform viewers about how to use their Helpline. As well as explaining what to expect when calling the Helpline, we felt the animation also needed to connect with the audience on an emotional level. So our core idea was to tell the story through the first person perspective of a woman who had been suffering domestic abuse, but had been helped out of her situation by calling Refuge. We felt this was an opportunity to tell a powerful story that the audience would relate to, that would encourage them to pick up the phone and speak to one of the Helpline’s expert female advisers.

Working closely with the team at Refuge, we crafted the script to take our viewer on a journey from making that first phone call, through the experience of using the helpline, to eventually turning their life around. We are very proud to have worked on this project with such an amazing charity and really hope that it will help more women escape domestic abuse.

We employed a hand-drawn, textured aesthetic to give the film a tactile and human feel. Light and colour were used to convey the changing mood from initial despair to a sense of relief and ultimately optimism.

Here's what Emily, our lovely client at Refuge, had to say:
From the first creative proposals, to the final animation, we were incredibly impressed with the Working Progress team. They took the time and effort to really understand our audience and aims. We hope this animation will mean even more women experiencing domestic abuse will feel able to reach out to our life-saving helpline.

Emily Campbell, Refuge Senior Digital Communications and Campaigns Officer

Music: Si Begg