Ash
Bespoke training, facilitation and consultancy
I have designed and delivered training on many aspects of my specialisms listed below, writing courses to meet the specific needs of organisations ranging from small grassroots groups to Leeds City Council and Leeds Beckett University. "I feel much more confident in supporting survivors' individual circumstances." "The training was clear, concise and really engaging. I feel inspired." "I have gained skills and knowledge in handling disclosures including language, options for reporting, options for support, and I'm clear on what sexual violence / domestic abuse is." Specialisms: Domestic abuse, sexual violence, harassment and stalking I have 15 years experience supporting survivors of domestic and sexual abuse at Leeds Women's Aid, one-to-one, in groups and on the Leeds Domestic Violence Helpline. I have also supported student survivors of gendered violence at Leeds Beckett University over the past two years. I have worked with perpetrators of abuse as a Caring Dads facilitator. This breadth of experience informs my training: I provide a framework through which to understand the complexities of abuse, its impact on individuals, families and communities. I have in-depth experience of crisis work, risk assessment, safety-planning, safeguarding and MARAC. I am also Training Officer at Leeds Women's Aid where I design and deliver training on domestic abuse, forced marriage and LGBT inclusion. Volunteer co-ordination and training As someone who started out in this field as a volunteer in 2002, I have always seen voluntary work as richly rewarding and a vital part of support services. I have designed and delivered the volunteer training for Leeds Women's Aid and co-ordinated the helpline volunteer team there. |
Vicarious trauma / secondary trauma / burnout
Working in the abuse field for so long has led me to take vicarious trauma very seriously. I have experienced the toll it can take on individual workers and witnessed its impact on staff teams. I am passionate about finding ways for support workers and organisations to do this crucial work in ways that are healthy and sustainable. Organisations which build in awareness of trauma and the warning signs of burnout stand to have much greater rates of staff retention and wellbeing and lower rates of absence. I have supported the helpline volunteer team at SARSVL to explore the impact of vicarious trauma in a monthly peer support group. Volunteers reported feeling much more able to cope with the huge emotional impact of their work. "I just wanted to say thank you for all the sessions you have done at SARSVL, I've found them really beneficial to support the work we do, and on a more personal level in how I ensure Im looking after myself day to day." Peer support groups and programmes I have designed and facilitated group work for survivors of domestic abuse over many years, culminating in designing and delivering the Staying Safe Programme, a 10 week healthy relationships course for survivors at Leeds Women's Aid. I have also delivered the Caring Dads Programme, group work with men who are abusive to their children. Peer support is so powerful in its ability to break through isolation, shame and secrecy, particularly among people impacted by abuse (as survivors, perpetrators or supporters), and for people struggling with mental health issues. I am available to support your organisation to develop group work with service users, from training staff in facilitation skills, to designing course materials from scratch. |