“In this space, your story matters, your feelings are valid, and your healing is possible.”
Peer support
When women have received one-to-one support, they often want to do something that is not connected to the abuse they have been subjected to. We therefore run a peer support group that offers a range of activities. This year the peer support group has been working on the development of a community garden at the Cardigan office. In the North, the group has explored creative writing and mindful walking.
The aim of these groups is to reduce social isolation and to facilitate peer support for the group members.
Benefits from Attending PSG
‘More self assured with other people’
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‘I have my smile back, I have confidence, I am happier’
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‘I am able to voice my concerns’
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‘It has changed my life completely for the better’
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‘Learning to slow down’
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‘Opportunity to interact with others’
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‘Making New friends’
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‘Empowered me to look for other groups to Join’
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‘I can be myself and have no judgement’
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‘I have found my voice and can use it’
This group explores a number of activities tailored to bringing people with shared history of abuse together to support each other from nature walks to coffee morning at the National library.
Creative writing
Walking group
Coffee morning
Yoga
Gardening
In 2023 the chief executive of WWDAS was asked to attend a production of the Snow Globe at the Castle Theatre with Lucy Gough. An ongoing conversation led the development of a creative writing group, Lucy’s talent helps to support women find their voice through imagination and creative writing. 8 women developed short pros and poems. This interconnection between the creative arts and women’s imagination has allowed women to find their voice, build self-esteem and talk about things they may never had shared. The aim of the group is to provide small steps for women to explore a life post the trauma of domestic abuse.
Mindful Movement Session
We had the pleasure of working with the talented Roanna Harstad who facilitated a Mindful Movement session with our peer support group. This was an energising session where people could learn how mindful movement can support a mind and body connection through yoga with guided meditation.
Own my life
With the help of funding from Ceredigion Council via Flying Start funding this 12-week programme with a follow-on peer support element has been facilitated by West Wales Domestic Abuse Service over this period.
The course enables women who have been subjected to abuse to gain ownership of their lives. It has provided a safe space for women to build self-efficacy, gain vital knowledge, and build a strong community of support. Critical to the course is work on how children are affected by the abuse in the family and helps women to build communication and support them and their mothers in future relationships. It also builds a continued support group of peers that helps reduce isolation and enables them to engage in the wider community. The feedback from participants has been inspiring, with women sharing how the course has helped them understand what was done to them, rebuild confidence, and take meaningful steps toward their futures
‘It is okay to spread your wings and be free, you were never the problem, you are a warrior’
‘The ones who have a voice must speak for the voiceless’
‘Keep going through the difficult days and different stages of the course it really gives you insight and strength to go on’
‘… Own My Life has helped me to understand my life better’
‘Be kind to yourself’
‘You are not alone, you’ve got this, you are strong and powerful. You’re amazing’
‘Keep going, the course is amazing and worth every hard week’
‘Thank you for the opportunity’
‘You are not alone, your voice is important. Always believe in yourself’
‘Its okay not to be okay. Don’t feel afraid to ask for help, you are stronger than you think. You can get through this’
