When 26-year-old Tara first arrived at our refuge, she was fleeing an abusive partner.

This wasn’t the first time Tara had experienced domestic abuse. She had experienced abuse for several years in other relationships and had come to accept her abuse as ‘normal and deserved’.

Tara spent ten months with us, and during that time she received support from our refuge team, made friends and gained qualifications with the local council.  She is now moving onto the next chapter of her life and has enrolled into university to start a degree.

Listen to her story here.

“Due to the lengthy time I had experienced domestic abuse, I had come to accept it as normal and deserved.

“The last ten months have been the making of me, and fleeing my ex-partner was the hardest, but best thing I have done.

“During my time at the refuge I made lots friends, but also took the opportunity to complete numerous courses with the local council.

“Everything was arranged by Glow, and I was able to gain a qualification to work in mental health services. I started to volunteer to offer peer support too.

“From this, I began to feel like me again, the old me, and began to crave learning again, so I have enrolled at university to begin my degree.

“I even have a part time job now too, which I love! It’s so nice to feel valued and needed again.

“At the refuge I also completed the Freedom Programme with my support worker. This has allowed me to be able to identify healthy and unhealthy relationships, not only with regards to any future partner but friends and family also.

“I will never forget my past, or my time at the refuge, but will always look back and remember that even when it feels like there’s nothing worth fighting for, there are still good things to come.  

“Thank you to everyone at Glow, and my family and friends. Thank you for never giving up on me and supporting me even when I felt I didn’t deserve to be.”