Our Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Support Service delivers support to both adults and children.
Our adult support service has achieved SafeLives accreditation for community-based support.
We deliver Play Therapy, counselling and Protective Behaviours to children and young people across Bedfordshire.
We support men, women and children experiencing domestic abuse to cope and recover and rebuild their lives. We know that DA impacts people in different ways and each experience is unique.
All our support programmes include activity-based learning through one-to one and group support, with a range of modules including self-esteem, counselling, skills development, relationship building and knowledge-based modules. They enable victims to:
- feel less isolated
- have improved mental wellbeing
- have increased confidence
- report improved psychological and physical wellbeing
- feel closer to their support networks
- feel more optimistic for the future
- Make healthier relationship choices for the future
- have improved knowledge and understanding of the effects of DA on themselves and their families
- have an improved understanding on how they can keep themselves and their children safe from abusive relationships
- Be empowered to determine their own futures and to make positive decisions resulting in improved life chances for themselves and their children.
Our Programmes:
Liberty
Each programme supports women that are still experiencing DA. This course focuses on rebuilding confidence and self-esteem, whilst increasing the victims’ knowledge of the impact of DA on them and their families and provides skills, practical support and guidance to identify risks and make positive choices for them and their families. Liberty, due to the intensity of the programme is a closed programme, enabling the focus to be on each of the groups of women in each cohort.
TALK:4M
Male specific programme that focuses on breaking down stigma of male DA, rebuilding confidence, mental and emotional health and provides an opportunity for men to talk about their experiences with other victims through a peer network.
My choice
Each programme offers group and one-to-one therapeutic and practical support to women and men that are no longer in the abusive relationship, and need support to regain their confidence and self-esteem, improve their mental and emotional health and get support with skills including finances, work placements and living independently. My Choice is an open programme which means participants can join in again with any of the modules they may have had to miss, when they are re-run.
Liberty Wellbeing
A client led programme that focuses on emotional wellbeing.
Female and Male Peer Support Groups
Our peer support groups provide a safe space for people to come together and share their experiences and feelings. We offer a group for women living in Bedford and a group for men living in Bedfordshire.
When you refer this is what happens next:
Upon receipt of your referral, we will aim to contact you in 5 working days and invite you to attend an Initial assessment in person. The initial assessment is an opportunity for us to review your safety and support needs and agree a support plan with you.
Referral Form90%
said they felt more empowered to seek the right support whilst listening to other women survivors in the group
88%
they wish they had been able to access something like this much sooner had it been available
100%
said there needs to be more services like this to ensure all victims have options to seek support
100%
Horizons programme had helped to rebuild their relationships with their children
98%
said Horizons helped them with the mental and emotional health
96%
Through Horizons they learned about the impact of DA on their families and developed the courage to make better choices for themselves and their families
98%
said TALK:4M gave them courage to talk about their feelings and emotions.
86%
told us TALK:4M had been a lifeline for them
100%
said the peer support in TALK:4M helped them to be more open about their experiences
We offer support services in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. For Hertfordshire, please visit our page below.
Hertfordshire Support Services
