Staying Put believe in early intervention to prevent situations escalating further or becoming more serious. We therefore have an Early Intervention and Prevention Team, who offer a range of services to empower people subjected to domestic abuse.
Here, we chat to Mariam, an Early Intervention & Prevention Practitioner. Mariam runs the Power to Change Programme, supports with outreach and training/educating other professionals’ around domestic abuse.
Power To Change Programme
The ‘Power to Change’ programme provides education and support in a group setting to women who are, or have been, in abusive relationships. It is a 10-week programme.
We also run monthly peer support groups for women who have either finished the ‘Power to Change’ group or for those who are wanting to join the Power to Change group. The peer support groups are more informal self-help support groups, which are co-produced by the attendees and the facilitator, so group members tend to dictate the direction to group takes but may need the facilitator to book rooms or organise guest speakers.
Where do you support people?
I support women who are still in or are no longer in an abusive relationship – groups are run in our local area.
I also train other professionals which will most probably be done at their place of work. I also support do a lot of outreach work promoting Staying Put’s services, where we may hold stalls and attend events.
Describe your average day
If I am running groups I head straight to the venue (I usually have all my resources beforehand) and I always try and get a few treats for the ladies like cakes, fruit, crisps to have during break times. All groups are currently run in the mornings. Once group has finished, I head back to the office to complete the admin side of the group. I call any clients that may have missed the session to do a welfare check and make sure they are okay.
What do you love about your job?
Initially when I inform clients that it’s a 10-week programme, they might say it is a long time – however at the end of the 10 weeks many ask to do the course again or ask what other groups they are able to attend with us.
Sometimes people are reluctant to come, or they feel they have to attend. The feedback we get from them is that once on the course they actually enjoyed attending and found it beneficial.
Can anyone attend your groups?
Anyone who has come through Staying Put can access this support – referrals can be made by professionals, or you can refer yourself by calling the One Front Door phoneline.
Any other comments?
If you need support or further information on how we can help, please call 0808 2800 999.
We help everyone who needs it, so please feel reassured that you can call us, and you will be supported.
Our helpline is open from Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 4.30pm. We close for half an hour at 1pm every day for lunch.