Many of us are familiar with the saying ‘the future is in our hands’ but sometimes life can be complicated. Through events we endure throughout our lives, it’s easy to believe that our future is already written from where we are standing now.

Shining a light in the dark

Sometimes, getting the right help can feel frustrating and hope and motivation can be lost along the way. Everything can seem very dark. Future Living Hertford is here to help to shine a light in the dark. Even if it seems so far away at first! We work with a range of clients, some of whom are survivors of domestic abuse. They have heartbreaking stories to tell and they often come to us when they have lost all hope. 

At this point it can be hard to know where to start. Our team at Future Living Hertford offer services to guide clients every step of the way.  Our One Stop Shop and drop-in for support surrounding domestic abuse is a great place to start if you have not previously reached out. The drop-in runs every Tuesday, 10:00 – 12:00  at our permanent base at Vale House, Hertford. 

A safe space to go

The drop-in is a place where you can discuss any support you need in dealing with domestic abuse. We also provide advice and contact details for service providers. No prior appointment is needed – simply pop in for a chat and cup of tea. Find out more about this in our blog HERE.   

The beauty of the work we do is that we can help people to find hope again and what’s even more magical is that sometimes, the very client who started with no confidence or belief in who they are, ends up being someone who goes on to inspire others through their transformative journey. 

Programmes for women

Our gender specific domestic abuse empowerment programmes for survivors are a wonderful example of that. Some of the attendees from The Monica Programme, have gone on to become mentors, helping to support others who join. Many of the graduates from our programme also go on to volunteer, coming up with new ideas to bring people together and maintain the bonds established within the groups. Our Women’s Craft club is run by volunteers who have been supported by our services. The club is a great way to help women build their confidence and try something new. It takes place every Thursday for previous and current members of The Monica Programme.

We were delighted that one of our clients, Jodie Hamby, who is also now a Client Trustee of Future Living Hertford, was invited to speak at several recent Police Conferences in Hertfordshire.  Jodie spoke eloquently about her experiences of being a victim of domestic abuse.   

She also talked about her recent role as one of the client trainers in a pilot of Domestic Abuse Lived Experience training delivered to the Police at Vale House, which was a huge success, made more impactful because of client involvement.  She was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers after the event for having the strength  to participate and share her experiences with officers, who were in awe of her courage.

Wise Guys for men

Wise Guys is our 12 week programme for male domestic abuse survivors. When the men start, it is often the first time they have opened up about their experiences. One of the graduates from the last programme said:  Previously, I had only ever known for people to think everything was the man’s fault. I feel I understand more now and have people who understand. 

I have started improving myself. Almost everyday I go to the gym and have made new friends. Now, I can see hope in my future.’ 

Support for the wider community

It is not just survivors of domestic abuse that our team work with. We also offer professional services which are available to the wider community. Our affordable counselling service offers a range of counselling models to suit a variety of needs. We also appreciate the positive impact exercise and meeting new people can have, which is why we have a free weekly women’s boxing group, which is held every Friday, 18:00 – 19:00 in Hertford. Registration for the group is essential. You can request the registration forms by emailing: [email protected] 

Our book

In finding hope again in their own lives, these clients offer hope to others too. With the right support, we can take back our future and see the light in the dark. Read more about some of our clients inspirational journeys is our book, A Story of Change which is available to purchase HERE for £15.

All proceeds from the book will go to the charity. This will enable us to help more people affected by domestic abuse.