Women's Groupwork Programme

In Bristol, this is provided through the Freedom Programme.

What is it?

The Freedom Programme support group for women is a 12 week support group for women.  It is run as a rolling programme which means you can join at any point.  The benefits are the same as long as you complete 12 weeks.

Who is it for?

The Freedom Programme is open to any woman who wishes to learn more about the reality of domestic abuse, whether she is in or has left an abusive relationship, including women who have no plan to leave their partner.

What are its aims?

• To help women to understand the beliefs held by abusive men and in so doing, recognise which of these beliefs they have shared.
• To show the effects of domestic abuse on children
• To help women to recognise potential future abusers
• To help women to gain self esteem and the confidence to improve the quality of their lives
• To introduce women to community resources such as Next Link, the police Domestic Abuse Investigation Teams and Bristol Domestic Abuse Forum

Where is it?

The Freedom Programme is run from several venues across Bristol.  All courses are open to women from any area.  All programmes are free and have a crèche.

For more information, contact the Freedom Programme Coordinator on 07990 558593 or email emily.moreton@peoplecan.org.uk

Interested in training as a Freedom Programme Facilitator?

Facilitator training costs either £70 or £100 (there are some free places available). The next course date has not been set, but is likely to be in early 2012. If you're interested in being added to the waiting list, please contact emily.moreton@peoplecan.org.uk

Everyone interested in training as a Facilitator must take the level 2 course Understanding Domestic Violence and Abuse, which is free. This fills up very quickly, so why not book your place while you wait for the Facilitator training to come around. More information is on the Training page of this site.

Volunteer for the Freedom Programme

Interested in getting involved but don't want to facilitate a group? Why not become a publicity volunteer - we're looking for people willing to take posters and leaflets out into their local area to display, advertising the programme. If you'd like more information or to get involved, contact emily.moreton@peopelcan.org.uk or 07990 558593.

We are also looking for women interested in being support volunteers, returning calls to women who want to join a group, and sending information out to professionals. Ideally, this would be on a Wednesday during office hours, up to once a week. Download a copy of the role description (pdf) or contact emily.moreton@peoplecan.org.uk for more information.

Freedom Programme Evaluation

In 2009-10, researchers from the University of Bristol's Centre for Gender and Violence Research conducted an evaluation into the Freedom Programme. Read the final report (pdf)

Freedom Flyer and Mailing List

Interested in being kept up to date about what's happening with the Freedom Programme in Bristol? Email emily.moreton@peoplecan.org.uk with "Freedom Programme Mailing List" in the subject line.

Freedom Resources

You can download and print copies of our leaflets and posters:
Freedom Programme poster (pdf)
Freedom Programme leaflet (pdf)
Freedom Programme leaflet (Polish language) (pdf)
(if printing leaflets back to back, we recommend a trial print first, to ensure you don't get one side printing upside down)