Community services

As part of partnership working with WYP, our trained Domestic Abuse Practitioners attend domestic abuse incidents jointly with the police to reduce the number of repeat cases to MARAC and to ensure timely interventions with survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. During our visits, we carry out risk and needs assessments, safety planning and support planning, ensuring the survivors and their children have all the relevant information to access services and keep themselves safe from further harm.

Our Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) are based within several GP surgeries across Bradford. They are specially trained to provide confidential, non-judgmental support to anyone experiencing domestic abuse. Read more about how IDVA’s can help you here.

If you would like to speak with an IDVA at your GP practice, you can request an appointment by visiting the surgery, calling, or using PATCHS.

Our IDVAs are currently available for appts at the following practices:

• The Ridge Medical Practice
• Parklands Medical Practice
• Horton Park Medical Practice
• Wibsey & Queensbury Medical Practice

A MARAC is a multi-agency meeting which domestic abuse survivors who have been identified as at high risk of serious harm or homicide. The MARAC is attended by representatives from a range of agencies including police, health, child protection, housing, Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), probation, mental health and substance misuse and other specialists from the statutory and voluntary sectors. During the meeting relevant and proportionate information is shared about the current risks, enabling representatives to identify options to increase the safety of the survivor and any other vulnerable parties such as children. The MARAC then creates a multi-agency action plan to address the identified risks and increase the safety and wellbeing of all those at risk. The primary focus of the MARAC is to safeguard the adult survivor.

Our Early Intervention and Prevention Practitioner works to identify and provide effective early support to people who are at risk. We work in schools and other organisations to raise awareness of healthy and unhealthy relationships. The team provides a range of group work programmes with the aim to promote a culture of change to prevent and reduce repeat victimisation, to improve mental wellbeing, to increase education and employment opportunities and to ensure community integration.

As part of our Early Intervention & Prevention work, we offer tailored emotional wellbeing and recovery support for individuals affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence. Our Recovery, Resilience & Wellbeing support is designed to help people heal, regain confidence, and move forward in a way that reflects their unique experiences and needs.

We understand that experiences of abuse and recovery can look different for everyone. That’s why our support is flexible and can be adapted to meet the specific needs of:

• Older people
• LGBT+ individuals
• People from ethnically and culturally diverse communities
• Young people

Support focuses on a range of key areas including healing from trauma, exploring identity and self-worth, building emotional resilience, understanding healthy relationships, and connecting with relevant services. Sessions are trauma-informed, inclusive, and delivered in a safe, supportive space that respects each person’s background and lived experience.

Depending on your preferences and needs, support can be offered in small group settings or through a short course of one-to-one sessions. We also provide language support and work with trauma-informed interpreters to ensure accessibility for all.