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Victim of domestic abuse looking out of a window

Experience of
Domestic Abuse

We are passionate about working with people who have been affected by domestic abuse. Meeting people where they are at, and coming alongside them to help empower them, ensures that they can build their self-confidence and enter the future with hope.

As part of our aim to encourage and empower women, Handcrafted offers the Own My Life course specifically targeted at women who have experienced domestic abuse. This is an innovative, creative and educational 12-week course that seeks to support women in regaining ownership of their lives whilst explaining key concepts in easy to understand terms.

We also aim to support women by offering a safe and friendly environment to explore their creative skills with a variety of craft activities available at the women’s groups that run across the 4 hubs in Gateshead, Chester le Street, Durham and Sunderland. Many of the women enjoy woodwork sessions, making various projects ranging from garden benches to bird boxes!

In addition to learning new skills, each session provides the opportunity to socialise and chat along with refreshments and a chance to make new friends.

Image depicting someone helping another person up a mountain

Testimonials

Changing Lives have been working in partnership with Handcrafted for some time, and have seen the improvements that they have made to the service since they first began. We see Handcrafted as a valuable partner, providing effective support to our residents, most of whom are socially excluded and have been given up on by other services.

Handcrafted provides a safe environment for residents, so that they can explore new skills, gain confidence and improve self-esteem. This has been demonstrated on a number of occasions, when residents have been given the support specific to their needs, staff have shown patience and understanding in dealing with individuals who can be very challenging.

We work very closely with Handcrafted and have formed a unique working partnership together, we have seen a massive difference in the confidence that our residents have when they have engaged in this service, and that is due to the staff at Handcrafted going the extra mile, to make a difference to our residents, showing empathy and understanding and without judgement.

Long may this continue…

Margaret M, Service Lead, Changing Lives