On Friday the 27th of June, members of the Hive at Improving Lives (Deb from Improving Lives, Nancy from the Trauma Informed Network and Sue, Co-Production Project Worker) worked alongside Biddy and Red, the founders of Becoming Arethusa CiC, to support the hosting of their conference and art exhibition at Market Hall.
The conference, ‘From Survival to Systemic Change’, provided a spotlight on the experiences of women within the family courts, and included a lineup of passionate and knowledgeable speakers. They included:
- Fleur Beuchler, Domestic Abuse Trainer and Behaviour Change Team Lead, Barnardo's
- Meghan Elizabeth Field, VAWG Strategic Lead, Plymouth City Council
- Professor Lara Feigel, King's College London
- Biddy and Red, Founders, Becoming Arethusa CiC
- Dr Lucy Johnstone, Clinical Psychologist, Trainer, Speaker and Writer
- Lauren Taylor, The Family Law Company
- Dr Kim Heyes, Senior Researcher, Manchester Metropolitan University
Click above to learn more about Becoming Arethusa CIC
Improving Lives were honoured to open the conference and referred to a recent article in the Guardian highlighting the work of Justice Reformer Dr Charlotte Proudman, as well as a recent report into gender bias within family courts. This report from Right to Equality was presented to parliament earlier in June.
The event also featured a Q&A Expert Panel, on which Nancy Hardwick was a participant and where the Trauma Network’s Justice Branch was able to promote its work and gain new memberships.
Alongside, the conference was an art installation called ‘In my shoes’, where over 50 women who described themselves as ‘survivors’ exhibited artwork that was created through art therapy sessions with Biddy Daniels. Some of these were hosted at improving Lives, and involved women we support directly; This brought not only lived experience voices into the conference, but also demonstrated the healing power of creativity.
Connections to the Creative Health Network were made and ripples were created; with one speaker being booked in to deliver ‘Gender Bias Awareness Training’ to local magistrates. It was a humbling and emotive day and we were grateful to have played a small part in not only helping with the event, but lifting up the voices and experiences of over 50 women affected by Domestic Abuse.
Thank you to Deb, Sue and Nancy for making space in your working week to come along and support. Thank you as well to everyone who signposted women to the Art Therapy Workshops, and especially to Becoming Arethusa CiC for shining such a creative light on this important subject.
