How to help survivors of domestic abuse

After finding the strength and courage to leave my own abusive relationship I was offered an eight-week awareness course and that was it, no signposting, no helpline number or website address details given.

I decided to set up my own support group to be the support I never had.

SODA supports survivors from being controlled to being in control by offering long-term survival support including online support and friendly group programmes.

We empower all survivors and warriors, giving them options, treating them with dignity, compassion and respect. SODA gives survivors a sense of hope and our service users a voice.

SODA raises awareness and reduces isolation in many different ways including blogging about my personal experience' showing victims that they are not alone; an online support group reducing isolation and providing a safe haven without judgement; a Whatsapp group providing a confidential space to come together and a regular radio slot on WCRFM Wolverhampton

SODA is also running two ongoing projects at the moment.

Project Number 1 - Bag of Life

This is where SODA provides free toiletries, sanitary products and old but working mobile phones to those fleeing domestic abuse. These items are placed in a tote bag and given to those fleeing domestic abuse.

You can donate one of the following items, a few or all of them. You can even add a few of your own items too

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrush

• Brush

• Comb

• Shower gel

• Bubble bath

• Soap

• Deodorant/body spray/roll on

• Sanitary products

• Old but working mobile phone with charger

Project Number 2 - MTAB (More Than A Bruise)

MTAB is a new project that high lights the fact that domestic abuse is more than a bruise and what the early warning signs of an abusive relationship are. Many victims often say, oh I’m not being abused because I’m not being hit, but domestic abuse is about power and control.

Thank you to both Mark Curtis of Beard of Zeus Digital Media and Lewis Pritchard of Graffiti Works for designing my logos for this ongoing project. Both artists can be found on Facebook.

I know that things are different and difficult for a lot of people at the moment, but if anyone can support SODA then please get in touch. There are many ways you as an individual or a business can help, including:

• Donate toiletries, sanitary products and old but working mobile phones.

• Be a drop off point

• Sponsor the work that we do

• Find us on social media, share our posts and RT our tweets

• Listen to us every Monday at 101.8 WCR FM at 10.30am

For anyone wanting to get involved in supporting the work that SODA does you can contact me via my website at www.sodahq.uk