A Swindon-based healthy relationships programme is being held up as an example of how local action is already delivering on the aims of the Government’s newly published Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy.
The HOPE Award, delivered by Swindon charity Society Without Abuse (SWA), has reached more than 600 children and young people across the town, helping schools move ahead of the national curve when it comes to education around healthy relationships.
The programme has also received national recognition, having been shortlisted for the PSHE Education Award at the recent Children and Young People Now Awards. The category celebrates initiatives that help young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to navigate modern life.
HOPE is delivered in an age-appropriate way, beginning with simple concepts such as friendship and kindness for younger children. As pupils grow older, sessions develop to explore more complex subjects including communication, consent, boundaries and misogyny, supporting teenagers and young adults as they form relationships of their own.
The programme’s recognition comes at a time when the role of education has been placed firmly in the spotlight, following the publication of the Government’s refreshed VAWG Strategy, which highlights the importance of early intervention and prevention work.
Emma Maclennan, Children and Families Manager at Society Without Abuse, said the acknowledgement reflects the value of sustained, practical work in schools.
“We were delighted to be named finalists at the Children and Young People Now Awards and to have the HOPE programme recognised by education specialists,” she said. “This is exactly the kind of approach the Government has now identified as essential, and one that can have a lasting impact on young people’s lives.”
She added that the scale of the issue makes early education vital. “One in seven children will experience domestic abuse during their lifetime, and nearly 40 per cent of teenagers in relationships experience abuse. HOPE is distinctive because it combines PSHE sessions with a wider offer, asking schools to engage in staff training and to host drop-in support sessions for families as well.”
The programme has been carefully mapped to the national curriculum and shaped by feedback from young survivors. Emma explained that many young people report not recognising abuse because it was never discussed in school.
“When working with older children and young people, we talk about consent, boundaries, communication and conflict resolution in the context of friendships, family life and intimate relationships,” she said. “Young survivors often tell us they didn’t realise what they were experiencing was abuse. HOPE looks at the issue from all sides, combining education with follow-up support for young people and families who may need help.”
For more information about the HOPE Award programme, email emaclennan@societywithoutabuse.org.uk.
Further details about Society Without Abuse can be found at societywithoutabuse.org.uk.
Anyone seeking advice or support relating to domestic abuse can contact Swindon’s domestic abuse helpline on 01793 610610.
