Breathe Free Group

Breathe Free is a six-week group course created to support people who have experienced domestic abuse. Its aim is to provide a safe, understanding environment where you can learn about the impact of trauma and gently explore ways to manage it. The course combines knowledge, practical tools, and creativity to help you build confidence and a sense of calm in your daily life.

At the heart of Breathe Free is the belief that recovery is possible…

…and that with the right tools and support, you can take meaningful steps towards healing. The course is not about telling your story or revisiting painful experiences. Instead, it is about understanding how trauma affects the body and mind, and learning practical ways to cope when its effects show up.

Over six sessions, you will explore themes such as recognising trauma responses, building self-care practices, developing grounding strategies, and creating routines that support wellbeing. You will also consider the idea of the “window of tolerance”—the emotional zone where we feel balanced and able to cope—and how to bring yourself back into that space when life feels overwhelming.

Alongside learning, the course includes simple, creative activities that help you process information in a gentle way. These activities also form part of your own self-soothe box—a collection of calming, personal items that you will build throughout the course and take home at the end. This box becomes a physical reminder of the skills and strengths you have developed, and a practical toolkit for moments when you need support.

Survivor Testimonials

Just wanted to say hi and thank for saving me with your hard work and dedication from all of u. I am alone, have 3 grandchild now and been in care job a 1yr 3 months. I’m very happy and contented. Thanks to VOICES. God bless keep saving lives!!!!
Emily

All is good thank you …I have a carpet and a proper bed now.  I wouldn’t have got here without your help.

Client

I couldn’t have done this without you, when nobody else believed me you did.

Client

I wouldn’t still be here if it wasn’t for VOICES

Client with PTSD

The objectives of the course are to:

  • Provide a clear understanding of what trauma is and how it affects everyday life.
  • Introduce grounding and self-soothing techniques that can be used in stressful moments.
  • Explore self-care and healthy routines as essential tools for recovery.
  • Strengthen confidence in managing emotional ups and downs.
  • Offer practical strategies that can also support children, where relevant.
  • Build connection and reassurance by learning alongside others with shared experiences.

By the end of the course, participants can expect several key outcomes. You will leave with a greater awareness of trauma and its effects, along with a set of techniques that you can adapt to your own life. You will have had the chance to try out a variety of coping tools—such as breathing techniques, grounding strategies, and creative exercises—and discover which ones work best for you. You will also have developed your own self-soothe box, filled with items that can bring comfort and stability when you need it most.

We Can Support You

If you are ready to have a conversation with us, leave a safe number for us to call and a time that suits you either on our answer machine or via email.

No commitments, no record without your consent. Just a conversation.

Building A Sense of Possibility & Hope

Perhaps most importantly, the course helps to build a sense of possibility and hope. It offers reassurance that the effects of trauma are understandable responses to past experiences, not personal weaknesses. It encourages you to see self-care as a necessary and valuable part of recovery. And it reminds you that you are not alone—that others share similar journeys, and that healing is a process that can be supported with the right tools and community.

In short, Breathe Free is designed to give you knowledge, skills, and confidence to move forward. It provides a safe space to learn, reflect, and practice new strategies, while equipping you with resources that can continue to support your wellbeing long after the course ends.