VOICES is a charity founded and run by women with lived experience of domestic abuse.

Our programmes are delivered by trained  facilitators with experience of supporting women affected by domestic abuse.  We work in dialogue together, as women, to explore the nature and experience of domestic abuse and enable self compassion and recovery. 

VOICES support is trauma informed and we recognize that women lead diverse and complex lives. We offer individual support and advice alongside group work, this may include therapy or the support of other trusted specialist agencies.

Our groups are held in confidential locations and women-only spaces so women feel comfortable and safe.

Although our groups are for women only, VOICES can offer other support or signposting to anyone affected by domestic abuse.

Freedom Programme

The Freedom Programme was designed by Pat Craven and is a free awareness-raising programme about domestic abuse. The programme is based on her extensive work with the perpetrators of domestic abuse and resulting understanding of how perpetrators use abusive tactics to coerce and control their victim.
Each session is 2 hours long.

The aims of the Freedom Programme are to:

• Inform women so that they are able to recognise and identify abusive behaviours and the beliefs held by abusive partners
• Understand how the tactics used by an abusive partner can keep us in an abusive relationship
• Show how domestic abuse affects children and explore the impact on the family as a whole
• Empower women to gain the self-esteem and confidence to seek support and safely make changes that improve the quality of their lives and those of their children
• Enable women to recognise future abusers and know what a healthy relationship looks like

The programme is free of charge for those attending and is delivered in a friendly, safe and inviting space.  Refreshments, travel expenses and childcare are provided.

The Recovery Toolkit

The Recovery Toolkit is a 12 week programme for women who have experienced domestic abuse, written by psychologist Sue Penna. It is a closed group programme meaning members attend all 12 weeks; starting and ending the group together as a shared journey. Each session is 2 hours long.

The programme is based on a psycho educational model which aims to give women the resources (tools) to maximise their own wellbeing, potential and heal after abuse. Women who attend the group have already left the abusive relationship.

The Recovery Toolkit aims to empower women to regain their sense of self and identity. We explore ways to heal from the impact of living with abuse and enable women to identify goals for the future.
Some examples of topics covered are:

• Psychological Impact of Abuse
• Self Esteem 
• Boundaries
• Parenting after abuse
• Assertiveness 
• Anger 
• Healthy Relationships
• Future Goals