Client Stories
All clients that join our programmes go on a journey, by joining a programme they are taking steps to move forward with their lives.
There are times when clients feel particularly proud of how far they've come and would like to share their stories.
Names have been changed to ensure clients' safety and privacy.
Lucy's Story
Lucy referred herself to the Lotus Domestic Abuse Recovery programme after hearing about it through Children’s Services. After experiencing many years of abuse from her ex-partner, she felt ready to take a first step towards rebuilding her life.
At first, Lucy was unsure what to expect from the group. What she found was understanding, safety and connection. Being alongside other women with similar experiences helped her realise she was not alone.
For the first time in a long time, Lucy felt listened to without judgement. The group became a safe space where she could speak openly, rebuild confidence and begin to make sense of what she had experienced.
Over time, Lucy grew in confidence and began thinking about how she might support other women in the future. She decided to take part in Lotus Blossom peer support mentor training, wanting to use her experiences to help others feel less isolated.
Through the training, Lucy learned more about the role of a peer mentor, including boundaries, safety and how to support others in a compassionate and trauma-informed way. She also recognised the importance of continuing her own recovery alongside supporting others.
After spending further time attending Lotus Blossom as a participant, Lucy gradually moved into a peer mentor role. She says the experience has given her a renewed sense of purpose and helped strengthen her own recovery.
“At the end of each session, I feel that fire inside me reignite,” she says. “Lotus is a place where you come to rebuild, no matter your past or how long you’ve been out of the relationship. Everyone brings something valuable and that shared support is really powerful.”
Lucy says becoming a mentor has helped her see how much small acts of kindness and understanding can matter.
“If I can make a difference in just one person’s life, it’ll all be worth it.”
Looking back, Lucy feels the programme has helped her rediscover confidence in herself and her future.
“I’m more confident now. I don’t doubt myself as much as I used to. I won’t let people knock me down anymore.”
For Lucy, Lotus Blossom became more than a support group. It became a community of women supporting one another through recovery.
“Everyone is there behind you, and that kind of support helps you keep going.”
Storm's Story
Storm was signposted to Lotus Families by her GP after living with the long-term impact of domestic abuse. Nine years earlier, she and her daughter had left a 16-year abusive relationship, but the effects of what they had experienced continued long afterwards.
Storm describes struggling with nightmares, poor mental health and overwhelming emotions. Reflecting on the moment she decided to seek support, she said:
“I woke up and there was no internet. I sobbed for the whole day and realised I needed to do something.”
Storm joined the Lotus Domestic Abuse Recovery programme and later continued her journey through the Lotus Blossom peer support group.
Through the groups, Storm found a safe, understanding space where she felt listened to and supported without judgement. She says the programme helped her look at herself and her experiences differently.
“They don’t just give out advice, they give you the tools to change your perspective. You are never forced to speak - you speak if and when you feel comfortable. People are genuinely interested in you.”
Alongside the group support, Storm also received one-to-one IDVA support. She says this had a significant positive impact on both her mental health and her nightmares, helping her feel more able to focus on the things she could control and move forward with her life.
Storm’s daughter has also noticed a positive change in her mum. Storm says she now feels able to talk more openly with her daughter about what they experienced and feels they have both been able to heal together over time.
With support from Lotus Families and other women with shared experiences, Storm says she has gained a new understanding of healthy relationships and boundaries. She now feels more hopeful about the future and has been able to pass this learning on to her daughter, who is now in a healthy and loving relationship herself.
After years of struggling with her confidence and self-worth, Storm says:
“I like myself again.”
Every year, Storm and her daughter mark the anniversary of the day they left the abuse behind - not as a reminder of what happened to them, but as a celebration of the life they have rebuilt together.
“There is no judgement. The other women understand and they are there for you.”
Ellie's Story
Ellie was referred to our Child-to-Parent Abuse (CAPVA) programme by her keyworker. At the time, she was experiencing verbal and physical abuse from her eldest child, who was nine years old and had diagnoses of ADHD and autism.
The situation had become extremely difficult for the whole family. Ellie described feeling emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed and isolated. Her mental health had deteriorated significantly and she felt her relationship with both of her children was being affected.
She remembers dropping the boys off at school, returning home and breaking down in tears behind the closed front door.
Ellie lives with severe anxiety and initially felt very nervous about joining a group programme. However, she quickly found the sessions welcoming, supportive and free from judgement. One of the most important parts of the programme for her was realising she was not alone.
“I am not alone.”
Throughout the programme, facilitators worked alongside Ellie in a supportive and collaborative way. Rather than telling her what she “should” do, they explored ideas with her gently and respectfully.
Ellie said this felt very different from previous parenting support she had accessed in the past.
“They would say, ‘Have you tried…?’ rather than telling me what to do.”
Alongside the group sessions, Ellie also received one-to-one support. Together they worked through both practical and emotional challenges, including developing a whole-family safety plan to help manage situations when her child became abusive. Ellie says this helped her feel calmer, safer and more in control.
Ellie’s younger son is also awaiting an ADHD assessment, and through the programme she began introducing new ways for the family to communicate. One strategy that made a real difference was using “emotion wheels” with her sons to help them talk more openly about their feelings and understand their emotions.
She says this has helped reduce conflict within the home and improved how the whole family responds to difficult moments.
Ellie also reflected on her own responses to behaviour and says she now feels calmer and more confident setting boundaries consistently. In turn, she has noticed her eldest son is more able to accept those boundaries without situations escalating as quickly as before.
Before accessing support, Ellie admits she had largely lost faith in professionals. Through the CAPVA programme, she says that trust has slowly been rebuilt.
She strongly believes support for families experiencing child-to-parent abuse needs to be available much earlier, before families reach crisis point. Looking back, she wishes she had been able to access support sooner.
Today, Ellie says she feels happier, more confident and more hopeful about the future. She feels she has regained confidence in her parenting and is enjoying spending time with her children again.
Although she knows parenting children with additional needs will continue to bring challenges, she now feels better equipped to manage those challenges as a family.
For now, Ellie and her boys are enjoying a calmer home life and spending time growing vegetables together.
“It has changed my life, and my family’s life.”
Katy's Story
When Katy was referred to the domestic abuse recovery programme she was living in fear, with high levels of anxiety and low confidence. She had been forced to move towns and struggled to form and maintain relationships, including friendships.
Katy says she learned a great deal about healthy relationships and red flags and that she benefitted greatly from opening up about her experiences with others who had been through similar experiences.
“I feel wiser”.
Katy was also offered 1:1 IDVA support. Jude helped her access other support she desperately needed including bereavement counselling which Katy says was an important stage in her recovery. She then completed the Lotus Blossom Peer Mentoring Programme, addressed her health issues and secured paid employment.
Katy was able to confidently start a new relationship. She describes herself as a happy, confident mum with goals and aspirations. Katy is passionate about helping other survivors of domestic abuse, Katy reported that if she had not joined the Lotus domestic abuse recovery programme, she would still be afraid to go out and would not feel safe at all.
“If you’re offered a space on the Lotus programme, do not hesitate!”
If I hadn't joined the Lotus programme, I would still be afraid to go out and wouldn't feel safe at all.
Lotus Client