The Recovery Tool Kit

The Recovery tool kit

The recovery tool kit can be accessed via a self- referral or through an agency. It is a structured and fully accredited package that provides individuals with ways to develop positive lifestyle coping strategies in order to eventually move from victim status to survivor. Unlike other programmes it provides tools and teaches confidence behaviours to enable the individual to keep their family safe within the context of unequal power divides and controlling behaviour by the perpetrator.

Those who have experienced and lived with domestic abuse frequently tell support agencies that the hardest part of recovery is to deal with the psychological distress caused by such abuse.

The psychological distress affects how a person perceives themselves (self-esteem, self-image), how they interact with others (passively or angrily), how they cope with the emotional pain (depression, anxiety, alcohol or drug use), how they use their parenting skills; it can also leave them with confusion about issues of trust, boundaries and respectful relationships (both adult and children)

Any individuals experiencing the isolation, exhaustion, humiliation, degradation and threats that are associated with abuse behaviour would encounter these difficulties. This programme does not hold participants responsible or blame them for any actions or decisions taken during the time of the abuse.

Unlike the freedom programme where individuals can drop in and out of the group; the recovery toolkit is structured over a 12 week period. This enables themed learning to be consistently delivered, rather than disrupted by new arrivals or returners. Enabling the closed group confidence to share traumatic experiences;strengthengroup dynamics andpromote closer peer relationships to be formed.

Similarly, the recovery toolkit also offers participants the opportunity to gain a level 1 qualification in ‘Developing personal confidence and self- awareness’ via Swindon Women’s Aid and the Open College Network - should they choose to pursue this.

The purpose of the group is to recognise the tremendous effort participants have made in keeping themselves and their families as safe as possible, while helping them to acknowledge that coping strategies used under duress may not be helpful in their recovery and development of a new life free of abuse.

The course can be used with both women and men who have experienced domestic abuse (though SWA deliver this in single sex groups). Thecourse is fully accredited & delivered by trained and accredited facilitators.

For further information and next entry details please call SWA on 01793 864984, or email to register your interest.