Calan Domestic Violence Services Announce First Survivor Ambassador
As a domestic abuse charity in Wales, for the last ten years Calan DVS has delivered much needed services to support some of the most vulnerable people in society.
This year, we set out a series of strategic priorities to outline what we want to achieve over the next five years.
To achieve these priorities, consultation with survivors will be absolutely vital.
It is their lived experience and knowledge that will ensure all our services are high-quality, needs-led, trauma informed, relevant and appropriate.
Today, I am proud to announce the charity’s first ever Survivor Ambassador, who we will work with, alongside other survivors, to shape our priorities, services, communications, and programmes.
We met Beth Edwards during an International Women’s Day event for the Media Trust in March 2022.
*Beth, a Campaigns Director at Cowshed Communications, disclosed to us on that day that she was a former service user of Calan.
Beth shared with us her experience of being in a violent and coercive relationship during her teenage years, and also discussed being diagnosed with complex PTSD in her 30s as a result.
Beth was one of the keynote speakers at our 10th Anniversary event in June this year, where she passionately spoke about the importance of healthy relationship education for young people across Wales.
We are delighted Beth has agreed to become our first Survivor Ambassador, and we look forward to working with her, and other survivors, to further improve, diversify and strengthen our services for all victims of domestic abuse.
Speaking about her appointment Beth said:
Calan DVS improves and ultimately saves a significant number of lives in South Wales and beyond, every single day.
I am so proud to become the first survivor ambassador for this charity, but more importantly, I am extremely proud to have been a service user, as strange as that might sound.
There was a time in my life where due to domestic violence, I didn’t have a voice.
Calan gave me my voice back, and now, as a survivor ambassador I promise to use that voice to ensure everyone knows what a vital service they provide, and also make sure the voices and experiences of those who have experienced Violence against Women are represented.
*Beth has provided consent to share her experiences.