Meet our dedicated team
Claire Osment MBE
Chair/Founder
My name is Claire, and I am founder and chair of OWLS, after leaving the refuge and finding that there was no support, I had a conversation with my housing officer at Stockport Homes Group and she said why don’t you start your own group.
I started OWLS so that anyone that had gone through Domestic Abuse had someone who they could talk to and someone who would really understand their fears and what it feels like to be isolated and not wanting to talk to friends and families because we were scared that they had had enough of us talking about the abuse.
Everyone has the right to be listened too without judgement or fear of not being believed.
Tracey
Volunteer Peer Support Worker
I’m allocated to referred ladies in much need of emotional and practical support, keeping in touch with them via text, phone calls and face to face. Being their ‘buddy’ at appointments such as TAC meetings, GP appointments, Child Protection Conferences, being another ear and in their corner so to speak; being a survivor of domestic abuse myself I can relate to what the ladies are going through and offer them a non-judgemental, safe space.
I also deliver the OWLS 4 weekly sessions Confidence Building course both face to face and via zoom, helping ladies realise their worth, gain their self-respect, self-esteem back and go forward using the tools they’ve learnt.
Sarah
Committee Member, Peer Support Worker, Baby Massage and The VOICE Facilitator
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a committee member and volunteer peer support worker at OWLS. I also help to facilitate the VOICE programme, the mother and toddler coffee mornings and baby massage. After going through Domestic Abuse, I wanted to help others and give back.
Jaquie
Secretary and Peer Support Worker
I have been volunteering for OWLS for around 5 years, I am the groups secretary, and I am also a PEER support worker. Working at OWLS gives me fulfilment and a sense of achievement and helping support those in need.
Courteney Osment
Volunteer Coordinator/Orange Umbrella Facilitator
My name is Courteney I am the Volunteer Coordinator at OWLS I mentor the volunteers and make sure their needs are matched and they are happy and confident in the role that they do with us. I am about to attend facilitator training for The Voice and hopefully in the future attend more training courses to extend my knowledge.