The YOU Trust, who deliver You First, The Hidden Violence and Abuse Service, are delighted to have secured funding to continue providing the Dragonfly Project in Dorset and to extend the project to Hampshire, The Isle of Wight, and West Sussex.
Launched in Dorset in 2016, The Dragonfly Project sought to identify victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) who are isolated within their own communities. We recognised that some people could not access services, or were unaware that these services exist, and this led us to try a different approach.
What we do:
-Train people living and working in our communities to be Champions so they are equipped to receive and respond to disclosures of DVA
-Work together to end any stigma that prevents people in our communities from seeking support for themselves if they are experiencing DVA
-Empowering communities to support and help those who are affected by DVA
-Educating communities to work together to raise awareness of DVA
-Make support easily accessible in isolated areas
-Increase early identification and intervention to minimise long-term adverse effects of DVA
-Offer ongoing links for all Champions to a specialist DVA Worker.
To celebrate the project’s work, and to outline a vision for its path forward, on 9th May 2019, You First are holding their first Dragonfly Networking event at the Dorford Centre in Dorchester. The day will feature international guest speaker Donna Anne Pace, a former service user who will share her journey, and Mayor of Dorchester, David Taylor will be in attendance. The networking event is for members of the community who have attended the domestic abuse workshops and are supporting their community in accessing specialised support or for anyone who is interested in becoming a Community Champion.
Katie Bielec, Service Manager for You First: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for everyone to stand up to domestic abuse and allow those experiencing it to have a voice and the support of the community. We want to empower the community to recognise domestic abuse and feel confident in signposting those affected by it. Domestic Abuse is still a hidden crime and now is our opportunity to bring it out in the open. I am incredibly proud of Dorset as we have delivered the workshops to over 600 champions, and together we are making a real difference.”
Tonia Redvers, Head of Hidden Violence and Abuse for YOU said “We identified there were people in Dorset who were experiencing violence and abuse where we needed to do something different. YOU worked with Dorset Council to develop this incredible and successful local project which has not only supported people experiencing abuse but also helped build stronger and more resilient communities. We are so pleased to receive recognition of this service and to deliver now across three counties – our passion is local projects developed with and for local people”.
Over the last 4 years across Dorset, You First, have provided support and advice to more than 4,000 women, men and children directly experiencing domestic violence and abuse and have provided guidance and support to family and friends. If you would like to find out more about the Dragonfly Project and become a Community Champion or if you are in need of support and advice due to experiencing domestic violence & abuse, stalking or sexual violence in Dorset please call us on 0800 032 5204.
To book a FREE ticket to the event, please visit the following Eventbrite link: dragonfly-project-takes-flight.eventbrite.co.uk
If you are in Hampshire, IOW and would like to become a Champion, or would like to know more about the wider You First Community Projects then please call Jayne Hardy on 0800 916 9878
If you are immediate danger then you should call 999.
