Steps to Freedom: A New Pathway to Healing

Steps to Freedom is Central Women’s Aid’s trauma-informed, survivor-centred recovery programme designed for women impacted by domestic abuse. Co-created by women and people of marginised genders with lived experience, this powerful 10-week programme helps participants understand the dynamics of abuse, reconnect with themselves, and take meaningful steps toward a life free from fear.

Built from over two decades of experience, the programme includes a carefully developed group format and a beautifully accessible journal, available in A4 and A5 formats (designed with dyslexic, neuro diverse and visually impaired users in mind).

Steps to Freedom is a creative, inclusive, and trauma-informed programme designed to be accessible to all — including groups working with survivors who are not women — it is adaptable to diverse needs, languages, and lived experiences.

Want to Attend a Group?

If you’re a woman looking for a safe, supportive space to begin your healing journey, Steps to Freedom may be right for you.

Click here to find out how to join a group near you.

Become a Licensed Facilitator

We’re inviting professionals and organisations to become licensed to deliver Steps to Freedom through our Train the Trainer programme.

Benefits of licensing include:

• Access to our Facilitator Handbook, developed alongside survivors.

• Use of our accessible, trauma-informed journals and online resources.

• Training in intersectional, anti-oppressive facilitation.

• Ongoing support and community from Central Women’s Aid.

• Alignment with a recognised programme rooted in lived experience.

Two training options available:

1. Best Practice in Survivor Recovery Programmes – for those newer to facilitation.

2. Facilitating Steps to Freedom – a 1-day practical training (for experienced facilitators or as a follow-on to the Best Practice course).

✅ CPD Accreditation (Coming Soon!)

We’re currently completing peer review and final steps toward CPD accreditation – adding value and credibility for professionals and organisations who want to deliver quality, evidence-informed support.

Let us know you’re interested now to be the first to access our launch dates and early bird offers.

Contact us at 03303 551122 or admin@centralwomensaid.org to learn more, express interest, or join our mailing list.

Early Bird Pricing Costs (secure to the end of 2025)

Why Steps to Freedom Matters

Women leave abuse, but trauma doesn’t end overnight. Steps to Freedom helps rebuild:

• Self-awareness

• Confidence and connection

• Understanding of power, boundaries, and healing

And when women begin to heal, their children benefit too — through greater emotional safety, stability, and hope.

Whether you’re looking to attend, deliver, or support this work — we’d love to hear from you.

💜 Together, we can take powerful steps toward a world where everyone lives in freedom.