Domestic abuse will affect one in four women, and one in six men in their lifetime. In our latest podcast, Anna shares her story and explains how Home-Start Greenwich supported her.

When Anna was introduced to Home-Start she has just escaped an abusive relationship. She met Kusum, from Home-Start Greenwich, who told her how a volunteer could support her.

“The first time I me Kusum I was living alone with everything,” remembers Anna. “I had just separated from my husband. He had emotional and financial abusive behaviour.”

“I had lost sense of self,” she adds. “I wasn’t existing as a person.”

Kusum matched Anna with a volunteer called Caroline who was able to listen to Anna and give emotional support. Caroline also gave Anna practical support, helping her navigate unfamiliar systems, and signposting her to other support that could help. She even looked after Anna’s children while she attended job interviews.

The support of Caroline and Kusum has made a huge difference to Anna, and it has had an impact on her children too.

“They must have felt my emotions,” says Anna. “When I became relaxed they became less anxious”.
Anna finishes by saying “The unique thing in Home-Start is they never say ‘your situation is not bad enough’”.

Find out how you can volunteer for Home-Start.