Graduation Time

With graduation ceremonies taking place across the country, A Way Out’s Liberty Service held its own graduation for women attending our drop-in who completed a 6-week Empowerment Programme. 

The drop-in specifically supports vulnerable women facing a range of difficulties and circumstances and this intensive programme focussed specifically upon boosting self-esteem and strengthening the ‘inner adult’ through identifying personal strengths and assets. 

The programme began by mapping individual timelines, focussing upon past, present and future.  The women acquired skills in cooking with ‘store cupboard staples’ – one successful graduate commented, ‘I always thought that eating healthy was too expensive’ but with newly acquired knowledge and skills this has now become part of her everyday life.

Alongside self-empowerment activities, the programme also focussed upon the needs of others experienced through the benefits of peer support and raised awareness on specific issues such as women lost to honour based violence. 

A session entitled ‘Beautiful Minds’ encouraged women to identify and speak out five beautiful things about themselves, for some, due to past experiences and trauma, this was one of the most difficult sessions.  The women then identified five beautiful things to do for others and reported back the following week.

The programme concluded with goal planning incorporating strategies to overcome personally identified obstacles such as breathing techniques to assist in anxious situations.

At the graduation celebration many women feedback improved mental health since attending the programmme and identified future aspirations including the hope of gaining food hygiene and first aid qualifications.  A Way Out’s Liberty team have sprung into action arranging for these courses to take place in the coming months.

The success of the programme could not have been achieved without volunteer support and essential food donations – for which the women who took part are extremely grateful.

If you would like to know more about the work of A Way Out please go to www.awayout.co.uk, or contact 01642 655071 or info@awayout.co.uk.