Supporting You Newsletter

You can download the original Newsletter (layout designed by children who are receiving support from NDWA’s Children’s workers) below:

Newsletter August 08    280Kb 

Introduction

Welcome to a new and exciting Newsletter all about YOU.

Let’s start with the introductions. We are people that have used the services provided by North Derbyshire Women's Aid. Some of us have been in the refuges and moved on to live independently. Some of us are still in refuge and awaiting new homes. Some of us are using floating support.

What I am trying to say is that we have all suffered some sort of domestic abuse and would like to reassure all the people out there that there is help and advice available. No one will judge you, just support and listen. There is a comforting voice on the end of the phone who understands what you are going through and that asking for help is ok. The staff are friendly and will help you in any way they can for you to escape from your home. Reassuring you that you and your children are SAFE

Feeling vulnerable and afraid

The first contact is always the first step and the hardest move to make. Workers are on the end of a phone or they could meet you somewhere that feels safe and advise you how to escape from the abuse. Helpline telephone number is 01246 540444

Emotional upheaval

Collecting all your important possessions in a limited time is a way to keep some attachments that feel familiar to you. Women often leave with nothing but the clothes that they stand up in. This is ok as funding for clothes and food may be accessed if this is the case. If at any time you would like to retrieve some belongings from your home a police escort can be arranged for your safety.

Safety and security

The refuge is a clean environment to feel safe in. The surrounding windows and doors are alarmed and cameras are fitted to watch the areas that surround the refuge. It is in a safe place with a secret address that no-one is allowed to have. This gives a sense of safety when you are most vulnerable. The rooms are clean and beds are provided for you to try and sleep. A key is provided for you to have for your own room, which is private from the other residents, and opens the front door. This may be the first time that you are allowed your own privacy and your own set of keys. This maybe hard to adjust to and old feelings of being controlled will return. These feelings will get easier to deal with but they will be with you as you never really forget.

Support from staff

The workers are available to talk to during the day and other residents in the house are a good shoulder to cry on at night. The other residents have all been in a similar situation and could listen to you and reassure you. The hardest step is to reach out to people and ask for help. The other residents understand. If you are brave enough to come out your room and sit with them your confidence will get stronger with each day.

People talk about the support received from NDWA

People were asked to fill in some questions about the support that they received from North Derbyshire Women’s Aid. The questions were based on escaping from the abuse to spending a night free from abuse.

The answers here are the exact replies that they gave.

Feelings. Describe your feelings when you first came into contact with NDWA

"Relief that someone is there to offer support, advice and help"

"Anxious and weary"

Moving in to a safe place. Explain how NDWA helped you move into a safe place

"They gave step-by-step advice that I knew was coming from people with experience"

"A support worker advised me to go home and get my things and not think about it and meet in a safe place"

First impressions. What were your first impressions of the refuge?

"It was ok"

"It was clean and tidy"

"Clean, tidy, modern, friendly, spacious"

Coping alone. How did you feel on your first day? What support did you get?

"Very quick to phone benefits, police, all related services. Feeling scared and on unknown territory"

"Felt I couldn't cope alone"

"It was very emotional and there was support for me and my children, just to talk to them, but sometimes I felt isolated in one refuge and better in another refuge"

The first night in refuge. Describe your feelings, did you feel supported enough?

"Relief, sense of safety"

"Knowledge that support would be there next day and the following days and weeks"

Other residents. How did you get on with other residents on your first day?

"OK I made some good friends and I still keep in contact with them"

"Did not speak much on first day, but gradually got to know them and made friends"

Being shown around. Who showed you around on your first day? Did you know what to do? Did you feel safe?

"Support worker showed me, making me feel safe and know what to do"

"Support worker"

"Not at the start it was confusing to get in your head"

Your Views! Could NDWA improve the support from first contact to going into refuge for the first time?

“Yes that you don't have to make your own way there."

Acknowledgments go to the people who use the different services of North Derbyshire Women’s Aid, looking for a helping hand. These services include the Advice Centre, Refuge, Floating Support and Outreach.

If you would like to contribute to the next newsletter please contact the Advice Centre on 01246 540444.