Latest news with #Open2Change
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Charity warning for Swindon Pride attendees amid domestic abuse concerns
A charity is urging the LGBT+ community to seek support if they are experiencing domestic abuse. As Swindon prepares to celebrate Pride this weekend, Society Without Abuse (SWA) is reminding people that abuse can happen in any relationship, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Kate Rowland, chief executive of SWA, said: "Domestic abuse can happen to anyone in any relationship no matter how they identify, their age or their background. "In same-sex relationships the abuse can often be multi-faceted due to community and identity issues and it's known that victims are less likely to report their experiences or seek help, with 61 per cent of people who acknowledge they have been victims saying that they did not seek professional support to recover. "As a result, LGBT+ victims are more likely to self-harm or commit suicide. "However, it's important to know that there is expert support available to people of all genders and backgrounds in Swindon who are experiencing domestic abuse." The charity highlights that domestic abuse is believed to be more common in same-sex relationships, but that many individuals may not recognise abusive behaviours or feel able to reach out for help. SWA also runs a behaviour change scheme called Open2Change, which supports individuals who use harmful behaviours in relationships to seek help and change. Ms Rowland said: "Swindon is also home to our innovative behaviour change programme that works with people who use harmful behaviour and they can come directly to us to seek support to change." The Open2Change programme is delivered one-to-one and is available to people of all genders and relationship types, including those in same-sex and mixed-sex relationships. SWA will be present at Swindon Pride this weekend to raise awareness of its services and recovery programmes. Read more: Shoplifter who assaulted staff jailed and banned from stores The charity, originally founded in 1974 as Swindon Women's Aid, takes a whole-family approach to tackling domestic abuse, with 50 years of experience supporting survivors, families and perpetrators. Its specialist team for children and young people collaborates with educators to promote healthy relationships at an age-appropriate level. The charity also works with businesses and the wider community to ensure people know how to signpost victims to support. SWA operates two fundraising shops, located in The Parade in Swindon and Hughenden Yard in Marlborough. Anyone in need of advice or support related to domestic abuse can contact Swindon's domestic abuse helpline on 01793 610610.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Second shop will help domestic abuse charity expand
A domestic abuse charity is opening its second charity shop, which will help support the organisation to expand across the region. Society Without Abuse (SWA) is opening the store in Marlborough after success with its first one in Swindon, the town the charity started in 50 years ago. People are being encouraged to donate and volunteer at the 'Survivor Shop' in the town. The charity works through education, early intervention and prevention, including teaching about healthy relationships in schools. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire SWA has described it as a "boutique" charity shop, which is opening on 4 June in Marlborough's town centre at Hughenden Yard. "We're incredibly excited to become part of the Marlborough community," said Kate Rowland, CEO of SWA. "Our new shop offers not only a wide range of quality pre-loved women's clothing and accessories, as well as the chance for people to make a real difference with every purchase and donation." She added that the Swindon shop already sells "top quality brands". Money raised by the shop helps fund the charity's HOPE programme, which works with children and young people to help them recover from the trauma of abuse. It also has developed Open2Change, a behaviour change programme for those who show unhealthy behaviours towards partners and families, with the aim to stop reoffending. In addition, the charity offers training in awareness of domestic abuse to help employers meet the needs of their staff. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Domestic abuse charity to lose refuge centre contract Domestic violence stays high after Covid - charity Abuse survivors' art is 'relief from a monster' Society without Abuse
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Second shop will help domestic abuse charity expand
A domestic abuse charity is opening its second charity shop, which will help support the organisation to expand across the region. Society Without Abuse (SWA) is opening the store in Marlborough after success with its first one in Swindon, the town the charity started in 50 years ago. People are being encouraged to donate and volunteer at the 'Survivor Shop' in the town. The charity works through education, early intervention and prevention, including teaching about healthy relationships in schools. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire SWA has described it as a "boutique" charity shop, which is opening on 4 June in Marlborough's town centre at Hughenden Yard. "We're incredibly excited to become part of the Marlborough community," said Kate Rowland, CEO of SWA. "Our new shop offers not only a wide range of quality pre-loved women's clothing and accessories, as well as the chance for people to make a real difference with every purchase and donation." She added that the Swindon shop already sells "top quality brands". Money raised by the shop helps fund the charity's HOPE programme, which works with children and young people to help them recover from the trauma of abuse. It also has developed Open2Change, a behaviour change programme for those who show unhealthy behaviours towards partners and families, with the aim to stop reoffending. In addition, the charity offers training in awareness of domestic abuse to help employers meet the needs of their staff. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Domestic abuse charity to lose refuge centre contract Domestic violence stays high after Covid - charity Abuse survivors' art is 'relief from a monster' Society without Abuse
