The Halcrow Foundation is funding a volunteer training programme at Swindon Women’s Aid, a charity that provides emergency accommodation, advice and support to victims of domestic violence and abuse in Swindon, UK.
The volunteers are being trained to deliver the charity’s 12-week Recovery Toolkit Programme, which uses a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) approach to support trauma recovery, improve self-confidence and esteem, and encourage positive lifestyles. It also aims to re-establish parenting relationships, and educate victims about the dynamics of abusive relationships and how to protect themselves from these in future.
Developing confidence
Natasha Moyles from Swindon Women’s Aid says: “As a domestic abuse charity, we are keen to support people to lead lives which are free from abuse and future harm. We believe this programme is key to developing their confidence to do this. Thanks to funds from the Halcrow Foundation, we are able to expand this programme by training more volunteers, and make a proven difference to the lives of the people we support.”
Results from the programme so far have shown 85 percent of the victims are free from abuse six months after completing the course. These positive results demonstrate a huge reduction of harm to the victims and their children, as well as cost savings for agencies responding to victims’ needs, such as police, hospitals and housing. Most importantly, the programme has a big impact on the confidence of those who take part, allowing them to grow from victim to survivor.
About Swindon Women’s Aid
Swindon Women’s Aid is a charity that provides emergency accommodation, advice and support to victims of domestic violence and abuse in Swindon. Its refuge provides a safe place for women and children, and its community outreach service helps people who want to stay at home before leaving abusive relationships in a safe, planned way. In 2017 the charity accommodated 102 women and 178 children in its refuge, and supported a further 909 families in the community.
