Trevi ...where life begins

Every15 minutes a child is taken into care

‘Trevi was something my mum founded and I hold it close to my heart. No women or girl should ever feel afraid’ Dawn French 2022

Trevi is a nationally award-winning women’s charity based in South West England. They provide safe and nurturing spaces for women and their children to heal, grow and thrive. When a woman has reached a challenging crossroads or crisis, Trevi’s compassionate and expert team will provide the treatment and strength to help her break free, giving her a fresh start in life. The charity runs three centres, including a residential rehabilitation centre for mums and their children, Jasmine Mother’s Recovery, Daffodil Family Centre and the Sunflower Women’s Centre – the only women’s centre in the Plymouth community. Sunflower supports women in recovery from addiction, mental ill health, domestic abuse, sexual violence, and criminogenic behaviours. Jasmine Mother’s Recovery Centre is a unique residential rehabilitation unit located in Plymouth offering treatment to women with alcohol and/or drug related problems. Their aim is that mums who have a drug or alcohol addiction can be given the chance to keep their children in their care. This is both in the short term whilst the woman undertakes her recovery from addiction, and in the long term as they begin a life together free from addiction and abuse. A 2017 study on the effectiveness of residential rehabilitation treatments, which examined cases from several countries, concluded that a ‘recovery-orientated treatment system must include ready access to residential treatment for alcohol and drug users.’ Trevi’s Jasmine Mother’s Recovery Centre demonstrates how successful such a system can be: 84% of women successfully detox and almost 9 out of 10 children get to stay with their mother. Michelle is an ex-resident of Jasmine Mothers Recovery and says, ‘I don’t know where I would be without Trevi. They came into my life just at the right time. I can’t explain just how much they did for my daughter and me in words. Without Trevi, my life doesn’t bear thinking about. Trevi truly makes a difference.’

The Sunflower Women’s Centre uses a whole-system approach; women receive support in addressing and resolving substance misuse, childhood trauma, criminogenic behaviours, domestic violence, or ill mental health. Sunflower is a registered training centre which runs a menu of nationally accredited therapeutic and vocational programmes which support women in addressing trauma, building resilience, and progressing in all areas of their lives. Practical support includes assistance with parenting, benefits, accommodation, exercise, relationships, connecting with the community and employability. This centre also runs Pause Plymouth. Trevi supports more than 700 women annually through their Sunflower Women’s Centre. Over the past year, more than 1000 women have registered with its services in the community, which includes workshops, therapy groups, mentoring and counselling – 56% of those who used the centre were survivors of domestic abuse.

Over the past two years, 90% of women supported by Sunflower say it has been a lifeline, with 82% able to move forward in life after accessing support.

Lucy, accessed Sunflower’s services and said, ‘I left my 22-year marriage 3 years ago after domestic abuse. I came to Sunflower, did the courses and became a peer mentor to other women. It gave me so much confidence and self-worth. I am now employed by Trevi and love being with the women!’ The Daffodil Family Centre opened in February 2020 and aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment for families to ensure that each parent has a fair assessment of their parenting skills and capacity. Daffodil will work with a range of professionals to provide each family with individualised support, in line with their abilities, needs and background. The centre’s ambition is that whatever the outcome of the parenting assessment, the experience of the family will be one of transparent working, respectful practice, and collaboration. Daffodil recognises the potential therapeutic value of a residential parenting assessment and will endeavour to deliver our assessment in partnership with parent and child. Kayleigh spent time at Daffodil with her son. Since then, she has continued to access support services at Sunflower, achieving her Peer Mentoring qualification. Kayleigh says, ‘I was so anxious when I went to Daffodil, but I soon realised I didn’t need to worry. The staff were so welcoming, all they wanted to do was support you to be the best parent you can be.’

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Legacy Support We know you understand how much charities rely on gifts from wills. In the majority of cases, people who are considering leaving a legacy to a charity in their will have given it some thought in advance. Trevi Gifts in Wills enable us to continue fighting for the rights of women and children working tirelessly until women and children get the best possible opportunity to have a better life. SUPPORT TREVI AS A CHARITY

You can get involved with Trevi in many different fun and exciting ways. From team sky dives and wing walks to pink hair and raise ‘n’ shave days they offer a programme of individual and team challenges for you to partake in!

Trevi’s Big Give Christmas campaign will also highlight the need to support women and their children especially at Christmas time when instances of domestic abuse doubled from 2019 to 2020 to 369,000 instances To get involved in this campaign please visit www.trevi.org.uk/trevichristmas