I wanted to do my bit
At the tender age of 61, I decided to focus on the change I wanted to see. I spent over a year hatching my plan, putting things into place to pursue my passion and educate more people about domestic abuse and help end gender-based violence.
Creating a supportive space
Taking the plunge into this has been scary, but luckily I had some brilliant people believing and cheering me on. This is the kind of environment I want to create for the people I work with, so no one feels alone when trying to figure out the big stuff.
People are stronger than they know
I have worked with people for over 45 years, first as a nurse then supporting people with addictions and families in crisis.
I have seen many people hit bottom and then claw their way out. People are capable of more than they know.
My last job was as a deputy manager for a charity that runs family residential assessment centres. Many of the parents I worked with had experienced domestic abuse in childhood or as adults, often both. While working there, I saw the transformation some women went through on the Freedom Programmes as they started to see their situations more clearly.
Watching them change inspired me
So I signed up to train as a Freedom Programme Facilitator. I ran the Freedom Programme online for 3 years. And, now here I am, runnng the Oasis of Strength Domestic abuse programme I developed. The women are placed at the core of the programme. This is just the start for me; we can do more to make it easier to get help and harder to get away with. I want everyone to recognise the different twisted and presentable faces of domestic abuse.
Not telling anyone what to do
We are not here to tell people what to do. After working with us, some may leave their partners, and some may stay. I’m not judging anyone. Some of the bravest women I have met haven’t left their abusers.
What have you got to lose
This could be the first time you have looked to us for help, or the 30th, it doesn’t matter. Everyone is on a different path, trying to figure it out. Just don’t stop trying and come and chat with us.
