Lighting the way to freedom from Domestic Violence
Lighthouse Women’s Aid in Ipswich will be known to most for offering victims escaping Domestic Violence shelter at a refuge. What many don’t know, is that the charity also runs a Women and Children’s Wellbeing Centre in central Ipswich. We recently met with Laura Squirrel to find out more about what the organisation offers to women and children looking for support.
The centre at 35 Berners Street provides a one-stop shop of advice and information for women and children (particularly those who are suffering, or who have suffered domestic abuse), whilst presenting an opportunity for all women across the county to develop new skills and come together within a safe and caring environment.

Recovering from domestic violence and putting the family back on course to enjoy life together, form healthy relationships and even get back to a job is not a simple process.
The staff and 26 volunteers offer a range of interesting, educational and supportive courses and workshops to women in the local community, including:
The Freedom Programme, examines the Dominator (an abusive person) and the tactics they use to manipulate and control. It also looks at healthy relationships, and how a non-abusive person behaves.
The Self Esteem Programme is offered to women that have completed the Freedom Programme. It is an 8 week course to help develop and improve self esteem, confidence and assertiveness.
Stronger Families is a therapeutic programme for children and young persons aged between 5 to 16 and their mothers who have experienced domestic abuse in their families.
Who’se in charge is a programme for parents or carers who have children that use violent behaviour towards them or currently appear to be beyond parental control.
Thera-play is for mums and children aged between 4 and 16 to come together for some quality time to play. It aims to develop relationships using fun and therapeutic techniques that will have a positive impact on the family unit.
Wishes and Feelings is a therapeutic programme around wishes and feelings designed for all children aged between 5 and 12 years
Expect Respect is a specially designed toolkit to use in schools from ages 11 to 18 years, which highlights the difference between healthy and abusive relationships and promotes the message that abuse is not acceptable. Lighthouse will be approaching schools in Suffolk to run this programme as part of the PSHE curriculum from September 2018.
Escape the TRAP is an exciting new programme designed to inform young people about teenage relationship abuse.
Healthy Relationships — this is a free 4-week course for women run by The Terence Higgins Trust. The sessions will include: When is it O.K to say “No” to others?; relationship rights and responsibilities; information about sexual Health and more.
Domestic Violence training for the workplace, to raise awareness and recognise the signs of domestic abuse with employees, as well as to provide training on business continuity in the event that an employee is suffering from DV.
Throughout the year the Centre also offers a wide range of therapeutic classes and workshops with the aim of improving health and well-being.

Lighthouse Women’s Aid always welcome help from volunteers, fundraisers and more, as all these projects need funding and administrating in addition to the services offered by the Refuge. Even being a “10 minute volunteer” to raise awareness is appreciated (like writing this blog!)
If you’d like an application form or find out more about volunteering, please contact admin@lighthousewa.org.uk or call Deb on 01473 220770.
If you know someone who would benefit from the services at the Wellbeing Centre, they’ll need to book an appointment to complete a registration form as there is a waiting list for most of the courses due to their popularity.
For help, call 01473 228 270 to speak to a member of staff or get in touch by Email: info@lighthousewa.org.uk. If they cannot help, they will put you in touch with someone who can.
Thank you to Laura Squirrel for giving us an insight into this important local organisation.
