The Information Centre
Women can come to the centre without having to make an appointment; we provide care and support in many ways. Our services range from helping to complete forms to finding refuge for a family. Our staff can also give information on a wide range of issues such as housing, legal and health matters. Referrals for our services are received from a number of organisations and agencies which include the Police, Social Services and housing services.
The centre is a busy and vibrant place and has plenty of space. This enables us to have privacy for clients to speak openly about their experiences, or women can come in just for a chat and a cup of tea with our friendly staff.
The centre is also used as the venue for the programmes we run, the Freedom Programme, the Nurturing Programme and the Hands Off Group. The coffee morning is also held at the centre and has a full programme of events from hairdressing and manicures to flower arranging and learning about ways to access higher education.
Outreach Workers
Many women, who experience domestic abuse, choose not to come into refuge but they need practical and emotional support as they begin to rebuild their lives and the lives of their children, while staying in their own homes. The primary role of our two Outreach workers is to provide this support.
Support can take the form of accompanying a woman to solicitor’s appointments and to court, which can be an extremely emotional and frightening experience if she has to come face to face with her abusive partner. Part of the Outreach workers role is to attend meetings within the community as a means of giving and receiving vital information that can be fed back to other members of Women’s Aid. Networking and building relationships with other agencies who have their own field of expertise enables the outreach workers to build a holistic support programme tailored to the needs of the individual as every woman’s experiences and circumstances are different.
Another aspect, is visiting local schools and colleges to talk to young people about the importance of establishing healthy relationships; spreading awareness that domestic abuse can no longer be tolerated in today’s society and highlighting how the consequences of such behaviour is far reaching and damaging. The workers also aim to publicise the organisation and the services that it provides to ensure that no woman remains ignorant of the help and support available to her.
The Outreach workers would like to thank Cymorth, Newport City Council and the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales for their support.
Programmes
Freedom Programme
The Freedom Programme is a free 12-week rolling programme for women only. This means that you can join at any point - the benefits are the same so long as you complete 12 weeks. The programme is open to any woman who wishes to learn more about the reality of domestic violence and abuse.
The aims of the programme are to help women understand the beliefs held by an abusive partner, recognise which of these beliefs women share, and begin to recognise the common actions portrayed in an abusive relationship. Women will also discuss the effects on domestic abuse on children who may witness or hear the abuse.
The long term aim of the programme is to break the cycle of abuse by giving women the tools to recognise abusive behaviour and allow women to build confidence and self esteem so that they can take control and improve the quality of their lives and of their children’s.
The Freedom Programme was developed by Pat Craven. You can find out more about her at www.freedomprogramme.co.uk
"Hands Off" Group
Newport Women's Aid runs children's groups for 7 – 12 years olds. The groups run on a 10 week programme during which the issues surrounding domestic abuse are explored. This enables the children to help make sense of their experiences, understand their feelings and realise they are not alone.
The facilitators use different ways to approach the subject of domestic abuse, sometimes by discussions, other times by drawing, clay modelling, videos or acting. The group is a fun time for the children whilst exploring deep emotions and hearing a strong message that domestic abuse is never their fault. They also look at safety planning for the future and help each other with their own individual worries.
Whilst the children are in the group, other workers run a programme with the children's carer. This follows the aims of the Freedom Programme which looks at tactics used by an abuser. It also teaches how to put boundaries in place, encouraging the children to feel safe and secure at home.
Nurturing Programme
Domestic abuse causes great disruption in the home, often resulting in the breakdown of family structure and boundaries. The Nurturing Programme offers mothers the tools to enable this to be addressed, nurtured and re-established, resulting in a more harmonious family atmosphere.
The aims of the group are to improve family life through:
- Building confidence and self esteem
- Understanding emotions
- Handling relationships
- Promoting positive parenting
- Nurturing ourselves
The course comprises of ten weekly sessions, at the end of which a certificate is gained.
