Peer mentoring with survivors of abuse who have disabilities or multiple disadvantage

Cohort 4, were invited by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s Office to present our work around peer mentoring with women surviving abuse who have disabilities or multiple disadvantage. Cohort 4 have been delivering our peer mentoring and peer support groups in Warwickshire, England for approaching ten years and it was a pleasure to contribute to the conference session that felt full of hope and optimism for women who survive abuse and experience mental ill health and/or physical disability.
This article considers creation of a community of strength, bringing skills, knowledge and a sense of optimism for recovery. Seeing a fellow survivor of abuse thrive in a peer mentor role is highly motivating for a woman who has had her self-confidence and wellbeing crushed by an abusive partner. Peer mentoring can generate possibility of recovery, of regaining strength and importantly, it illustrates hope.