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Outreach

What is outreach support?
The majority of the people who are supported by Pathway Project are supported via outreach support. Pathway Project has been working in the community for over 25 years making positive changes for those in the community that are at risk of domestic abuse.

Here at Pathway, we’re aware not every survivor wishes to live in a refuge. You may wish to stay in your own home, build a new life elsewhere, or the abuse may even be historic – there are a number of reasons refuge isn’t for everyone. Our outreach team can help you live your life safely and free from abuse in a number of ways such as safety planning, emotional support, counselling and group work to name but a few.

The outreach team have helped thousands of adults over the years by providing both practical advice and emotional support.
Often practical issues can be huge obstacles when making a decision about if you should end a relationship, they can appear overwhelming, and this is why we can help you make decisions to go forward.

In addition to the above, for many people simply having someone to talk to on a regular basis helps them to realise that they are not on their own. We can listen to the difficulties faced, and provide you with resources to enable you to make up your own mind based on the research material we have available. We can be on the end of the phone in times of crisis to support you through difficult times and decisions.

Most of the people that work with us receive this support on a 1-to-1 basis either in their own homes (if it is safe to do so), at an agreed safe place; for example a coffee shop or at our drop-in centre the ‘Hope Centre’ in Lichfield. We know that there isn’t a one size fits all in our approach to support, and that’s why we’ll tailor our support to suit you.

Outreach Support

Risk Reduction Support Worker

Our Risk Reduction workers will normally work with their clients from the point of crisis to assess the level of risk, discuss the range of suitable options and develop safety plans. Often practical issues can be huge obstacles when making a decision about if you should end a relationship, they can appear overwhelming, this is why our risk reduction worker can also help when it comes to finances, housing, emotional support and signposting to other agencies that may help you.
In addition to the above, for many people simply having someone to talk to on a regular basis helps them to realise that they are not on their own. We can listen to the difficulties faced, and provide you with resources to enable you to make up your own mind based on the research material we have available. We can be on the end of the phone in times of crisis to support you through difficult times and decisions.

Mental Health & Domestic Abuse Specialist

Domestic abuse can have a huge impact on your mental health. Research has found that domestic abuse victims are three times more likely to suffer with their mental health. Abuse often leads to anxiety, depression and a string of other mental health disorders. In extreme cases, it can often lead to attempts of suicide, substance misuse and perhaps eating disorders.

We are lucky to have a specialised domestic abuse and mental health worker at Pathway Project that can work with you as support for both your mental health and the abuse you may be going through or have gone through.

We find often adults do not seek help for their mental health alongside the abuse as they feel ashamed of the stigma attached to mental health and abuse.

Our MH & Domestic Abuse worker will work with you through a combination of one-to-one and group work, we aim to ensure that you are able to access a package of support that is tailored to meet your individual needs and understands the help you need without judgement.

Young Women and Girls Support Worker

Much like our Risk Reduction Worker our Young Women & Girls workers work with young adults and teenagers to provide emotional support, practical support, safety planning and advice about healthy relationships. Often with younger people, the abuse they are experiencing may be their first relationship, meaning they don’t have much to go on in terms of relationship experience; that’s where our YWAG worker comes in to educate them in healthy relationships, self-esteem and boundaries etc.
This service works with young women and men aged between 13-25yrs around issues of domestic and sexual abuse. This age range is often a key demographic that is overlooked when it comes to domestic and sexual abuse.
Education is key when it comes to young people and healthy relationships.
In March 2015, the Crime Survey for England and Wales identified that 6.6% of men and 12.6% of women aged 16 to 19 had experienced domestic abuse in the past year. For women, this is dramatically higher (42%) than the next highest category (ages 20 – 24), and for men, it is almost one-third higher (32%).

Family Support Worker

This service provides practical and emotional support to people who have been impacted by any form of domestic abuse against a close family member. Knowing a family member is going through domestic abuse can be upsetting but there is support for you available that can help you support that family member and also look after yourself.

Independent Sexual Violence Advisor

As an organisation we understand how difficult it can be to talk about sexual violence, therefore we have established a service to provide support for anyone who has become a victim of sexual violence or abuse.

Our Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVAs) is trained to provide emotional and practical support to survivors of rape, sexual abuse and sexual assault who have reported to the police or are considering reporting to the police.
This is a specialised sexual abuse service provision for men and women aged over 16. This service specialises in individuals needing support around current or historic sexual abuse.

Our ISVA can:

  • Offer a tailored support plan around your current or historic sexual abuse.
  • Provide accurate and impartial information to victims and survivors of sexual violence.
  • Provide emotional and practical support to meet the needs of the victim or survivor
  • Provide support before, during and after court
  • Our ISVA will work to ensure the safety of victims and survivors and their dependents.
  • Lastly, our ISVA will always provide a professional and confidential service.

Referrals can be made directly on our helpline 01543 676 800, or through Staffordshire Women’s Aid.

Please note our ISVA support is run as a part of the Staffordshire Women’s Aid Survive project.

Economic Abuse Specialist

More information coming soon.