WAIS is working on a new project that will be providing Freedom Programmes and therapeutic groups across the city and south Nottinghamshire over the next 6 months.

The Freedom Programme

The aim is to give more women an awareness about domestic abuse and what makes a relationship healthy and also to help women move on and recover from their experience of domestic abuse. Because of funding requirements, timescales for this project are very tight, and so they’re taking referrals for both the Freedom Programmes and Therapeutic groups now.

 

Freedom Programmes

This popular 12 week programme will enable survivors to have a better understanding of the domestic abuse they have experienced and the impact on them and their children. They will learn to identify the signs of an abusive relationship and what makes a healthy relationship.

 

The safe group environment is an important aspect of the programme and provides an opportunity for survivors to receive and give peer support. All Freedom Programmes will be delivered by experienced and trained facilitators.

 

Women who have attended Freedom Programmes run by WAIS this year have said this about Programme:

 

“The Freedom Programme helped me to recognise what I have been through, to name it for what it was. But the most painful part, looking back at what I had been through but now understanding what it was. Very painful but important to go through with it”

 

“Sometimes you think it is just you, but on the Freedom Programme you meet other women who have the same problems, so you know it’s not just you”

 

 

Therapeutic groups – Freedom and Beyond

The therapeutic groups are the next stage for any survivor who has already attended a Freedom Programme. They will focus on supporting women to heal from their experiences, to build self-confidence and esteem. The small groups will be run by an experienced counsellor and will offer a safe space to enable women to share their experiences.

The groups will run on a Monday and Tuesday in Nottingham starting on 20th and 21st October. Initial assessments will be carried out with women before they start and these are planned for next week – 13th and 14th October. There will be further groups in the south of the county starting in January.

When, where and how … 

 

Specialist Freedom Programmes – January to March 2015 

In addition, from January to March 2015 there will be 4 generic Freedom Programmes in South Nottinghamshire and 5 specialist Healthy Relationship courses in Nottingham city aimed at South Asian women, women in same sex relationships, older women, women with mental health issues and women with complex needs. More information on these will follow.

 

Rights and Recovery is being delivered in partnership by WAIS, Notts Women’s Aid, Nottinghamshire Rape Crisis, Equation, the Health Shop, Family Care and Nottingham Women’s Centre Renew Project and funded by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

 

If you know of any women who might be interested in either the Freedom Programme or the therapeutic group, please contact Tricia Choo on 0780 5977 191 or email patricia@wais.org.uk with names and contact details as soon as possible.

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