Names have been changed to protect the users*
Sally
My Housing support worker introduced me to OWLS, after I left the refuge. She thought it would be a great way to meet new friends as I knew nobody.
Claire came to my house and done some 1.2.1 work with me. After a while she gave me the confidence to start attending the coffee mornings. The ladies were lovley and made me feel very welcome.
I was pregnant at the time and I was worrying that I would have to go through it alone. Claire offered to be my birthing partner and attended all my appointments with me. She even stayed the full 3 days with me when I went in to have my baby.
I really can’t thank these ladies enough they are truley amazing.
Mary
My counsellor gave me the OWLS leaflet and arranged for me to attend the coffee morning. I was very nervous about going in on my own so Claire met me and walked me round. I told her that I would just listen to what everyone else was saying. 10 minutes in and I found it so relaxing that I opened up to the group telling them all about my abuse.
If you have gone through abuse then please give these ladies a go. they have all gone through abuse so really knew how I felt.
Sarah
OWlS is the only place where I feel safe. I really cant thank you enough for making me feel welcome and safe.
Julie
I had to go to court and had nobody to come with me. A friend told me about OWLS and their buddy sytsem. I spoke to a lady and she said that a lady called Lucy would meet me there. They even arranged safe measures for me so I wouldnt have to see my ex. Lucy was great she calmed me down and explained everything to me.
Sophie
I attended the freedom programme with OWLS and think anyone that has gone through abuse should go and complete it with Nicola and Claire, they are fantastic.
THANK YOU.
Katie
Without OWLS and the support, they have given me I do not know where I would be right now. I was in a very dark place after going through years of both mental and physical abuse. OWLS were there all the way through lockdown opening their premises and giving me a safe place to go. I am now in a good place and would recommend OWLS to anyone going through abuse.
Jane
Claire Thank you thank you and THANK YOU. The difference that OWLS makes to ladies lives is really life changing and I have felt supported at every step and thank you to both you and Sarah for allowing me to complete The VOICE, this really helped me to look at things differently and to see that the abuse was not my fault, and they are his issues and not mine……I am NOT to blame.
Jill
Sarah my support worker is fantastic, she understands how I’m feeling, and it helps that she really does understand me (She has also gone through abuse) and not just reading from a textbook. All the staff are warm and welcoming, and I know who ever answers the phone the support/advice I get is fab.
Faye
Claire is one amazing lady, she is always so caring, and I never feel rushed and always feel that I am important, not like some agencies I have been too. She gives me support plans and they are easy to follow and never gives me anything that I am uncomfortable with.
paula
If you have gone through DA please give these ladies a go. They really understand and are absolutely FAB. I completed the Freedom Programme through lockdown, over ZOOM and I looked forward to the weekly sessions. Not only did I meet some fantastic brave women who I now call friends, we also got a support network thanks to a WhatsApp group. Thank you OWLS you are amazing.
Social Worker
OWLS is the best thing to come out of Stockport.
Carol
I attended the Baby Massage as like many women I was raped and then became pregnant. I was worried that I would not bind with me baby but after doing the sessions it helped me to get over my fears and have a concrete bond. Thank you Sarah.
Sam
I had not worked for a long time and my confidence was very low. Someone gave me OWLS number and said why don’t you ask to volunteer with these. From the moment I called Claire really understood and I couldn’t believe it when she said yes to me. I volunteered for around 6 months, and this gave me the confidence to go out and get fulltime employment. Thank you to everyone at OWLS for making me feel part of the OWLS family.
Hannah
This is a fantastic group, they are all volunteers and work so hard to give the help and support to the women in need. I would never have got to where I am without the help & Guidance I received.
What can I say when thank you is just not enough? Claire and the staff really worked hard through lock down setting things up & getting things in place so that we could get the support that was needed. Yes they closed the premises for a couple of weeks, but help was always just a phone call away. They started ZOOM freedom programmes when other places just didn’t bother and then opened back up so we had a place that we could go to. THANK YOU xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kelly
I have attended the coffee mornings and I am always made to feel welcome. Nothing is too much….Great bunch of women. The help and support I get is absolutely fantastic.
COMMA Stockport
Had a lovely morning with the ladies at OWLS this morning. We were made to feel so welcome & the advice & Support (and Coffee) was greatly appreciated.
Meg
I have been referred to many agencies and have never really felt understood and then I was referred to OWLS, OMG what a difference. I have worked with Claire, Jackie and Sarah and boy do these women actually understand how I felt. To find a group that is run by women that have gone through DA, is brilliant. Thank you OWLS and thank you for all the help you have given me. My confidence has gone from 1 -10 all because of these ladies and the help & support you have given me.
Jess
When lockdown hit I really did not know what to do. I had been in a physical abusive relationship for years and the thought of being trapped inside 24/7 filled me with dread. I knew I had to get away from Stockport and my abuser. I spoke to Claire and the Greater Manchester helpline arranged a specialist refuge for me. Claire still calls from time to time to see how I am. I’m in a good place in my life now. Thank you xx
Sara
I got referred to OWLS and I remember thinking here we go again someone else that won’t get me or how I feel. How wrong I was. This group is amazing they supported me and got to a place where I actually like myself. These ladies deserve so much more and yet they struggle for every penny. Come on Mr Johnson give groups like this the money to continue the awesome work they do.
Lucy
If I thanked OWLS and my support worker every day, it still would not be enough.
The care and support they give is the best. I have been to a few domestic abuse services and never felt comfortable because they did not understand how I felt, and it felt like it was something that they had read in a textbook.
OWLS totally got me, and I never felt judged, I felt believed.
Lucy
Sarah is amazing and anyone that has suffered from domestic violence needs a Sarah in their life. Thank you Sarah for everything and Thank you to Claire who set up this amazing group.
Nicola 0ne + All
Claire, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you for spending time with XXXX this Week on your day off.
I know she found it so helpful and to know she is not alone in what she is going through has meant so much to her, Claire.
I just want you to know that we appreciate you very much and I don’t think we will ever be able to fully understand the impact you’ve had on people in our business through both the DA training and your honest, very caring approach to people like Rach which is tremendous.
Thank you so much.
Suzie
Hi just wanted to say thank you for all your support and help with the one to one, the class or the time when I phone up when something happened when I’ve been upset. Everyone doing amazing job at OWLS,. I’ve actually just gone back on fb using my second name so I can’t be spotted , and I start a course next week and I’m going to track down a volunteer job in a school setting after Christmas. I post this status on fb I hope you don’t mind. Wishing you all a happy Christmas x
Training program feedback
- This group is so powerful.
I have been so inspired and love this group. I don’t want it to end.
Would highly recommend this group to anyone.
The Support this place offers to vulnerable women is amazing - OWLS has been a tremendous support and rehabilitation for me, with my mental and physical abuse. I am so grateful that past experiences are recognisable and validated.
For people with historical abuse support is coming to terms with what you see as your future is essential. - Thank you Claire & Sarah for everything that you have done. Keep up the good work and keep on being Amazing
- Claire & Sarah are amazing and really put everyone at ease. They talk about their abuse and really know their stuff.
- Claire & Sarah are amazing at what they do and I am so inspired by what they do.