Training and resources

Our open access groups for women affected by domestic abuse run weekly at venues in Chester, Ellesmere Port and Winsford.

The groups are all supported by qualified IDVA’s (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) who are able to offer confidential advice and support to women relating to a range of subjects surrounding domestic abuse.

The groups provide somewhere for women affected by domestic abuse to go, so that they can seek advice, interact with others, share experiences and allow their voice to be heard. The sessions offer a safe environment where women can also enjoy refreshments and social sessions such as arts and crafts, beauty and wellness.

The sessions don’t require a formal referral from any organisation, women who are affected by domestic abuse can drop into any session at any time during the two-hour timeframe.

The sessions run on a weekly basis, with potential for change on bank holidays and during the school holidays.

Ellesmere Port 

Mondays, 12pm - 2pm

The Boat Shed, 112 Whitby Rd, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0AB

• 2 January: Welcome & Get to Know, Introduction to journaling
• 9 January: Safety – topics include safety planning, legal remedies, police, support for victims
• 16 January: Control – topics include coercive control, love-bombing, control cycle
• 23 January: Healthy relationships – topics include managing conflict, stages of a relationship, consent
• 30 January: Impact on children – topics include parenting, children’s resilience, managing child contact
• 6 February: Wellbeing – topics include stress & relaxation, managing emotions, mindfulness 
• 13 February: General chat
• 27 February: Welcome and get to know, Introduction to journaling
• 6 March: Beliefs and attitudes around domestic abuse
• 13 March: Healthy relationships – topics include managing conflict, stages of a relationship, consent
• 20 March: Safety – topics include safety planning, legal remedies, police, support for victims
• 27 March: Wellbeing – topics include stress & relaxation, managing emotions, mindfulness 

Chester

Tuesdays, 10am - 12pm

Storyhouse, Hunter St, Chester, CH1 2AR

• 3 January: Welcome & Get to Know, Introduction to journaling
• 10 January: Safety – topics include safety planning, legal remedies, police, support for victims
• 17 January: Control – topics include coercive control, love-bombing, control cycle
• 24 January: Healthy relationships – topics include managing conflict, stages of a relationship, consent
• 31 January: Impact on children – topics include parenting, children’s resilience, managing child contact
• 7 February: Wellbeing – topics include stress & relaxation, managing emotions, mindfulness
• 14 February: General chat
• 28 February: Welcome and get to know, Introduction to journaling
• 7 March: Beliefs and attitudes around domestic abuse
• 14 March: Healthy relationships – topics include managing conflict, stages of a relationship, consent
• 21 March: Safety – topics include safety planning, legal remedies, police, support for victims
• 28 March: Wellbeing – topics include stress & relaxation, managing emotions, mindfulness

Winsford

Thursdays, 10am - 12pm

New Images Community Centre, Nixon Drive, Winsford, CW7 2HG

• 5 January: Welcome & Get to Know, Introduction to journaling
• 12 January: Safety – topics include safety planning, legal remedies, police, support for victims
• 19 January: Control – topics include coercive control, love-bombing, control cycle
• 26 January: Healthy relationships – topics include managing conflict, stages of a relationship, consent
• 2 February: Impact on children – topics include parenting, children’s resilience, managing child contact
• 9 February: Wellbeing – topics include stress & relaxation, managing emotions, mindfulness
• 16 February: General chat
• 2 March: Welcome and get to know, Introduction to journaling
• 9 March: Beliefs and attitudes around domestic abuse
• 16 March: Healthy relationships – topics include managing conflict, stages of a relationship, consent
• 23 March: Safety – topics include safety planning, legal remedies, police, support for victims
• 30 March: Wellbeing – topics include stress & relaxation, managing emotions, mindfulness