Lived Experience Advisory Forum (LEAF) – calling all Telford & Wrekin survivors

Voices are working with survivors of domestic abuse in Telford & Wrekin to hear your feedback on services, organisations and groups you have accessed at any point. You will be helping to ensure future services and policies are completed in the most effective way and they are person centred.

The programme is being funded by Telford & Wrekin Council and is a joint project between community interest companies, A Better Tomorrow and Voices Social Enterprise.

A Better Tomorrow, based in Telford, was set up in 2014 to offer supported housing and a recovery programme for people with addiction and substance misuse. Its work has since expanded to include housing and support for those with mental health issues and homeless people, and most recently to provide a refuge for single women fleeing domestic abuse.

The Lived Experience Advisory Forum – LEAF – began in September 2024 and is currently funded till March 2026.  This is how you can take part in the project:

– the LEAF survey – a simple set of questions about services and organisations who may have helped you and your family when you were being subjected to domestic abuse or post separation abuse.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       – one to one’s – these can be face to face or online where you can give more detail about your experiences.
– group participation – if you want to be part of a group who meet and chat with other survivors, let us know and we can give you the next group details.

“I am supporting this project – I am Tracey, someone with lived experience of domestic abuse and trauma who has worked in Telford and Wrekin raising awareness for over 3 years. I love the work that various organisations are doing to support domestic abuse survivors in Telford and Wrekin. The passion to change things, listen to all people and provide services that are person centred is inspirational.

Our independent group has the aim to look at the whole journey of being a domestic abuse survivor. It will capture what lessons could be learned, best practice, gaps in provisions, and then pass this to Telford & Wrekin Council, the domestic abuse commissioned services and other organisations/sectors such as the police, healthcare, education and social care.

The fact that it’s an independent forum and not affiliated with any organisation makes it a safe, independent space with everyone having lived experience. Any individuals coming do not need to represent the organisations for which they work, it will be their experiences, and all information will be handled sensitively and anonymously.”

The voices of all genders, ages, sexual orientation, relationships, culture, beliefs, socio-economic groups are wanted – anyone who has been subjected to domestic abuse, but also their family, friends and professionals who have supported.

To take part in the survey go to the short form here.  This is also the link to share – https://forms.office.com/e/xcnnL91hZr.  Or you can scan the QR code that is in the images.

 

Purpose of the Research

• To improve local services to people who have been subjected to domestic abuse.
• Look at all services, organisations, groups and people who have supported anyone experiencing domestic abuse.
• Look at all services, organisations, groups and people who could have supported anyone experiencing domestic abuse, but didn’t or were unable to.
• Understand what is working, what needs updating or changing, gain best practice to share, and support everyone involved in or using services.
• Gain insights to improve survivors experiences of local services and have their voices at the centre of strategy, processes and support.

 

Who Can Participate

We are seeking a diverse group of participants, including:

• All genders.
• All ages.
• All sexual orientations and relationships.
• All beliefs and cultures.
• Family and friends who have feedback.
• All survivors.

 

Safety and Confidentiality

Your safety is our highest priority. To ensure your comfort and privacy:

• All responses can be anonymous when the survey is completed.
• You will have the choice in what personal details you share with us so we can chat further.
• There will be no identifying information shared with anyone other than Voices Social Enterprise – this includes A Better Tomorrow, Telford & Wrekin Council or other organisations and agencies.
• We will present feedback in reports without use of any personal information but will use your words and voices.
• None of our work with you will compromise your safety or confidentiality – but please discuss any concerns you have so we can ensure you feel comfortable with our work.

 

Thank You

We deeply appreciate your time and feedback – it will be invaluable to shaping current and future services and support.  Your voice matters, and your insights will help us build strategies that centre survivors’ lived experiences.