Here goes...

Hi, my name is Grace and I am creating Held By Grace, a support initiative for women rebuilding after abuse.

A few years ago, my life was very different, I had my own house, purchased using inheritance, I had a car, a stable career, good health and a life where I could see friends and family freely. I could spend my money as I wished.

Then I experienced abuse.

It didn't start obviously and it unfolded over time. First there were subtle signs of control, then I had my car taken from me and my freedom was physically restricted. I am now excluded from my home and I live in Refuge. I have no access to my capital. I am not able to work due to trauma and the lasting effects I now experience. I have had to leave my city and the life I built and worked for over many years.

Over the past year I have had incredible support from Woman’s Aid and other services for which I am so very grateful.

I am now in a position whereby I do have a safe place to live and a recovery pathway.

I am stronger each and every day and I am rebuilding with the help and support of others.

Through my recovery I have met other women also experiencing abuse, and in a truly dark time I found light. I found peace in being with other victims who understood, where we could share experiences, learn together and cry together. We support each other and we began to have hope for future peace.

My experiences have highlighted to me that although this was my lowest, I was still fortunate. Some of my new friends had been displaced away from their support networks and due to this were experiencing extreme isolation as well as trying to recover from the abuse.

I had everything taken away from me but unlike others; I thankfully still had my friends and family.

From this adversity I sought opportunity.

I was fortunate to be able to attend a sauna and cold-water facility (The Lakes at Lavender Hall) which helped to clear my mind and support my recovery. At the time, I could afford this, however I was aware that again this may have not been the case for others. With open hearts, the owners offered experiences to support the group at a discounted rate and my mum being my mum covered the costs for the entire group to attend.

The first visit together was a day that will stay with me for life.

We felt connection.

We felt peace.

We felt safe.

And there an idea was born.

I have created ‘Held By Grace’ in hope to extend the impact beyond those in my immediate support group. I want to provide experiences that would otherwise be out of reach for many victims of Domestic Abuse. In fundraising in this way, I hope to be able to collaborate with local businesses to provide other healing experiences.

From my experience currently victims can seek physical refuge away from perpetrators and have support but there is a space for what comes next.

‘Held By Grace’ aims to do just that. To create experiences, pockets of joy and glimmers of life ahead beyond survival.

If you could donate towards this, please do or help in another way please get in touch.

Thank you for being here.

Grace x