About
Our recovery programmes are designed to help enable individuals to begin to understand the problem of abuse and its impacts, to become aware of patterns of abuse, to set realistic goals, and to learn techniques for developing new patterns of their own choosing.
Please see the below for information about what’s on offer. You can get information on taking part by contacting the Somerset Domestic Abuse Service.
Courses
Hope 2 Recovery Course
This course is online or in person and takes 8 weeks to complete.
Who is the course aimed at
Any gender, 18 years+ and is for victims who are in a familial or intimate partner relationship and is potentially looking to safely leave the relationship.
The Hope 2 Recovery programme is a 6-week course for any adult that is experiencing or has experienced domestic abuse. This is a first step towards recovery as the programme enables participants to understand the dynamics of domestic abuse, why they have coped the way they have and how their parenting has been affected. The learning from the programme will also support survivors to develop their future life plans to be based on the safety of themselves and their children.
Outcomes
- To understand the tactic’s perpetrators of domestic abuse use to coercively control
- To understand the difference between healthy or unhealthy and abusive relationships
- To help understand the parenting role and the challenge of being a nurturing parent while in an abusive relationship
- Understanding safe ways to stay or leave the relationship
Pattern Changing Course
This course is online or in person and takes 6 weeks to complete.
Who is the course aimed at
Any gender, 18 years+ and is for victims who are free from a familial or intimate partner abusive relationship and are still living with the effects of domestic abuse.
This course has been developed to help victims who have experienced domestic abuse but are not currently in an abusive relationship to build their confidence and self-esteem. Pattern Changing is primarily an educational course undertaken in a nurturing, supportive group environment. Underpinning the course is the fundamental belief in basic rights for everyone. An understanding of and ability to set boundaries and the development of assertiveness skills to ask for the rights and to protect the boundaries.
The focus of Pattern Changing is on the victim and the power they possess to change the course of their lives. This focus is essential in helping victims to build the energy and motivation they need to break out from negative patterns and choices.
Outcomes
- To break patterns of behaviour which lead to returning to an abusive partner or entering a new abusive relationship
- To break the cycle of abuse and understand the complexities of domestic abuse
- To change negative lifelong patterns to positive ones
- To provide support and encouragement to make the changes
Own My Life Course
This course is online or in person and takes 12-weeks to complete.
Who the course is aimed at
Women✱ aged 18+ who have left an abusive relationship, as well as those continuing to experience the impact of historic abuse.
This is an educational programme for those who have experienced domestic abuse and are seeking to better understand their experience, improve their wellbeing, and rebuild their lives in a safe and supportive environment. The course is facilitated within a confidential group setting. Sessions include short videos, structured discussions, group activities and individual reflection exercises.
Outcomes
By completing the programme, participants will:
• Develop a greater understanding of the impact of domestic abuse and trauma
• Recognise healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviours
• Improve confidence in making safe and informed decisions
• Strengthen personal resilience and emotional wellbeing
• Increase self-awareness and self-belief
• Rebuild a sense of independence, control, and personal agency
✱The aim is to offer this course to men in the future.
Speak to us to find out more
If you are concerned for yourself or someone else, our local, confidential helpline will advise anyone seeking help with domestic abuse. This includes relatives, friends and work colleagues as well as those who are causing harm.
Speak to us on 0800 69 49 999. Our phone line is available 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week.