The Freedom Programme Charitable Trust

The Freedom Programme Charitable Trust
The Freedom Programme and WAVE DV Centre have now joined forces to form a new charity:  'The Freedom Programme Charitable Trust'
The Charity provides the following services

Freedom Programmes for Women
These free programmes are available across the Wigan area. They are run by volunteers
who are trained Freedom Programme Facilitators and led by Christine Ashton the former project leader from WAVE DV Centre now IDACNW. These courses are provided free as a public service.

The 24 hour help line and help desk. 

01942 262 270  

info@idacnw.co.uk

These are also staffed by Christine and other trained volunteers. They can provide
legal and practical information and signpost callers to Freedom Programmes in their area.

Our volunteers are there to help in the Family Court.

Freedom Programme for Men 
who want to become better partners and fathers. 
We provide these free courses as a public  service. More information on
http://www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/men.php



Funding

These services are funded by charitable donations and from Freedom Programme Ltd who are a private training and publishing company.

What is the Freedom Programme?

What is the Freedom Programme?

Information about the Freedom Programme

We provide information not therapy. 

The Freedom Programme is a domestic violence programme which was created by  Pat Craven and evolved from her work with perpetrators of domestic violence.

The Programme was primarily designed for women as victims of domestic 

violence, since research shows that in the vast majority of cases of serious abuse are male on female. However, the programme, when provided as an intensive two day course, is also suitable for men, whether abusive and wishing to change their attitudes and behaviour or whether victims of domestic abuse themselves.

The Freedom Programme examines the roles played by attitudes and beliefs on the actions of abusive men and the responses of victims and survivors. The aim is to help them to make sense of and understand what has happened to them, instead of the whole experience just feeling like a horrible mess.

The Freedom Programme also describes in detail how children are affected by being exposed to this kind of abuse and very importantly how their lives are improved when the abuse is removed.

MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE FREEDOM PROGRAMME

Any woman should be able to phone the contact numbers on my website and be

told where and when the next session is taking place and whether crèche

facilities are available. I do not endorse intrusive questions, referrals or risk

assessments.

Women must be actively welcomed to the programme.

We never give advice or tell any woman that she should leave. If it were so easy

we would have all left.

Judgemental statements such as ‘I would never let anyone do that to me’ or ‘this

has never happened to me’ are not acceptable.

Facilitators refer to all women as ‘us’ and never use the dreaded words ‘These

Women.’

These programmes are only for the women who attend them. I do not endorse

the presence of observers.

Ideally, every woman who attends should be given a copy of the book ‘Living with

the Dominator’ and the supplement ‘The Freedom Programme Home Study

Course’ as soon as she arrives. This will enhance her learning. Clearly she will

know if it is safe to take these publications home or to leave them in a folder

with the facilitator.

This programme lasts for 11 or 12  x 90 minute sessions. It is a rolling programme, so

women who attend can miss a session and do it later when they are ready. Some

women can take years to complete it. 

Session 4 is about the ‘Effects of Domestic Abuse on Children’. It is repeated in session 8. Facilitators who only want to run this once can shorten the programme to 11 weeks.

Job vacancies in East Surrey

Please circulate to colleagues and friends who you think you may be interested

East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services are recruiting!

Would you like to join our team and support survivors of domestic abuse and their children to cope, survive and recover from their experiences? We are pleased to offer two exciting opportunities to make a real difference in someone’s life!

ADULT & CHILDREN’S SERVICES MANAGER

£28,820 - £29,820 for 35 hours per week

Could you supervise and support our Adult & Children’s Outreach team to deliver the highest quality services to survivors of domestic abuse and their children? You will have previously held a position of responsibility, including the management of personnel, projects, performance & finance. You must be able to support staff working within a challenging and complex area of work and to work effectively and diplomatically with a range of different statutory agencies, voluntary organizations, groups & individuals. Some knowledge of working with survivors of domestic abuse, or other disadvantaged/marginalized groups and an understanding of the importance of risk identification, assessment & management is desirable. A current driving licence and use of a car is essential.

Closing date for applications: noon on Tuesday 2nd September 2014

Interview date: Monday 8th September 2014 in Redhill

*We offer the post subject to Section 7(2) (e) of the Sex Discrimination Act (Women Only)

CHILDREN’S OUTREACH WORKER (New Post)

£9,600 (FTE £21,000) for 16 hours per week

Want to join an innovative, highly motivated & professional team? You will be required to work with children & young people (5 - 16 years) who have experienced and/or witnessed domestic abuse and to provide therapeutic support services that will enable them to make sense of their experiences, come to terms with their situation and develop and grow in self-esteem and confidence. You will have experience of working directly with children, young people and their families through a range of difficult situations and supporting them accordingly including a relevant qualification. You must be willing to work outside of normal office hours on occasion including once per month at our Children’s Saturday Club. A current driving licence and use of a car is essential.

Closing date for applications: noon on Tuesday 2nd September 2014

Interview date: Friday 5th September 2014 in Redhill

*We offer the post subject to Section 7(2) (e) of the Sex Discrimination Act (Women Only)

Please email either Leigh at leigh@esdas.org.uk or Janine at janine@esdas.org.uk or call us on 01737 771350 for an application pack

Kindest Regards

Michelle

Michelle

Chief Executive

East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services

Direct Dial: 01737 771780

Main Office: 01737 771350

Mobile: 07958 371280

Feedback from Facilitator Training Northants Women's Aid

CLARE WALKER CONSULTANCY
DOMESTIC ABUSE TRAINING & CONSULTANCY FOR PROFFESSIONALS
TESTIMONIALS NORTHANTS WA JULY 2014

“What would you tell a friend or colleague about this training?”;
Interesting, informative & exhausting. Good explanation about beliefs behaviour & tactics of the dominator
Teachers Assistant
An amazing programme that makes you aware of the different forms of abuse & constructively look at how to deal with a situation and survive!
DAP Worker
I gained an understanding of the abuse, tactics & the affects. It is a complete programme that supports women to understand the men they live with. This enables them to make informed decisions about their futures.
Social Worker
The Freedom Programme training is absolutely fantastic! I would recommend it to anyone, regardless as to whether they have been in an abusive relationship or not. Clare you are a wealth of knowledge & experience. The delivery of the training was brilliant!! Thank you
Advice Worker
An insightful, well designed course for anyone working with or supporting families enduring domestic abuse (even if you think they’ve seen it, done it & got the t-shirt!) It puts everything into perspective. I would highly recommend this training.
DAP Worker
Be prepared – to be exhausted. Be mindful of the Mr Right & Mr Wrong men out there. Be prepared to recognise certain traits in men you know!
Family Support Worker
That it is an excellent opportunity. It is very emotive & informative. I feel that it was a rollercoaster & supported me to recognise that ‘this’ is what individuals will bring to attending the programme. And that they live with a lot of complexity/fear/abuse & how brave of them to have taken the 1st step in to the room.
The strong importance of taking/respecting the pace of others.
Centre Social Worker
I would encourage them to try & attend themselves. Very interesting & worth while to attend in person, rather than just reading the book as you gain a greater

understanding of the programme from the facilitator & you learn how to facilitate it yourself.

Refuge Support Worker
Every women should have the opportunity to attend this training. Excellent training & an amazing facilitator.
DAP Worker
Training is interesting & educating.
DAP Worker
Clare was open & friendly during the 3 day course; training will further add to knowledge on domestic abuse & the effects on victims & their families. I would encourage any staff member to come on it, as knowledge is power!
Domestic Abuse Practitioner
Helps to focus on understanding what the impact is for women & children & how difficult it is for women to step away from the situation. It is not just the course, women & children need ongoing support.
Head of Family Support
It will give you a better understanding regarding the different persona’s of the dominator. Enables you to recognise early signs of a new partner. And clarifies the effects it has on children which I did not fully understand before.
Family Support Worker
The training really goes indepth into the Dominator & all the effects of his behaviour. I feel very well equipped to deliver the programme. It has been a very emotional & uplifting 3 days. Thankyou very much Clare, fantastic facilitator!
Domestic Abuse Prevention Worker