It is a saddening fact that 1 in 5 adults experience Domestic Abuse during their lifetime. This equates to: 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6-7 men. At Future Living Hertford, we have a bold mission – to make domestic abuse a thing of the past. How do we propose to do this? 

By working from the ground up! We know that through education and awareness, we can help change the future for adults who are now only children. We can raise awareness and educate children, even from a young age about things like healthy relationships, what may be considered a red flag in a relationship and the importance of knowing that you can call it out or speak to someone if something doesn’t feel right. Our healthy relationships programme, Young Herts does just that and is delivered over 4 weeks to year 6 pupils in primary schools in Hertfordshire. It’s about planting the seed and giving children an insight into what is considered ok and what is not, even in friendships, which are often the most common relationships formed in childhood. 

Young Herts

Young Herts has been short-listed for the Children and Young People Now award for PSHE and delivery in 20 schools has been funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in Hertfordshire.

The children are given fun and interactive sessions where they can choose to participate as little or as much as they would like to, it encourages discussion and really gets children thinking about topics they may not have explored before. The main feedback we receive after the sessions is that they were fun and the pupils who take part tell us what they have learnt over the 4 weeks. We use relatable methods to gauge feedback, such as emojis and flashcards and simple questions. Here is some of the feedback we have received.

“Young Herts helped me to think about relationships. I learnt it is ok to say no if you don’t want to do something.”

“The sessions were really fun, Jo was really nice and we talked about things I have never spoken about before.”

“I didn’t want the sessions to end as we got to use the flashcards and I like talking about feelings”

Educating adults

But it doesn’t end there, we also educate adults about healthy relationships through our DA survivor programmes. It is not about blame, or judgement, it is about simply recognising unhealthy  behaviours and patterns within our relationships. The programmes are used to empower survivors, to give them a voice and a chance to be heard, often for the first time. Education will not change the past, but it can definitely help to change the future for both children and adults. 

Domestic abuse can have devastating effects on the lives touched. The experiences and stories of our clients are powerful and we are privileged that some clients choose to share these to help others and offer further insight and education. Like Jodie and Jo, two clients both supported by Future Living Hertford who are now part of our lived experience programme which we deliver to Hertfordshire Police.  Even as a team, we learn from each other and from our clients, who inspire us every day. 

We will keep working towards our mission and will continue to expand and grow with all we learn along the way. 

For more information about our Young Herts programme or programmes for survivors of domestic abuse, email: [email protected]