Thursday May 16th: Workshop
Help us shape the agenda for research on violence, abuse and mental health!
We invite survivors of any form of violence and abuse (in childhood or adulthood) to discuss and shape the topics and research questions for the Network.
Who is it for?
We invite survivors of any form of violence and abuse to discuss and shape the topics and research questions for the Network. This can include any form of abuse in childhood or adulthood (e.g. physical, sexual, psychological, bullying, domestic violence). We would welcome any survivors of violence/abuse to attend, you do not have to be involved in or interested in research to attend but we would also welcome those who do have research interests or experience.
Why attend?
People who have experienced violence and abuse are experts in what questions and topics need to be asked and understood. In order for future research to be effective and meaningful to real life experiences, we need your help. Taking part will give you a chance to have a voice and help shape the work and priorities of the Network. Participation will be confidential.
Will I be paid for my time and expenses?
Yes. Session attendees will be offered a payment of £100 to thank you for your time (payments will be made into your bank account). Reasonable travel, parking and childcare expenses will be reimbursed also through your bank account (please bring receipts for expenses). CPD certification is also available for attendance.
Where/when is the session?
Date: Thursday 16th May
Time: 11:30am - 3:30pm (lunch provided)
Place: Birmingham (venue close to city centre)
What is the Violence, Abuse and Mental Health Network?
The network is a group of organisations including universities, charities and individuals that are interested in this area. The network is funded by UK Research and Innovation and led by Dr Sian Oram and Professor Louise Howard (King’s College London). Organisations involved in the Network include: City University of London, Liverpool John Moores University, Newcastle University, St George’s University of London, UCL, University of Oxford, and University of Warwick, AGENDA, Action for Children, Against Violence and Abuse, Bristol Reconnect, Family Action, the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, McPin Foundation, MQ Mental Health, NSPCC, Place2Be, Rape Crisis, RESPECT, Safe Lives, Standing Together, Stefanou Foundation, the Survivors’ Trust, Survivors’ Voices, Women's Aid.
What can I expect if I attend?
We aim to engage people about what they feel are the most important issues to be explored and understood in this area. You will not be expected to talk about your specific experiences of violence and abuse (unless you feel it is relevant and you feel safe to do so). We will begin by introducing the purpose of the session and how what you say will help the Violence, Abuse & Mental Health Network decide what research to focus on in future. We will present the results from a survey where people (most of whom were survivors) were asked to suggest potential research topics. We will offer you the chance to comment on these topics, suggest new ones, shape research questions and tell us how you think they should be approached. This will be done through a variety of activities – individual, as a whole group and in sub-groups.
How will the session be run?
The session will be run according to the principles for good survivor engagement as outlined in the Survivors’ Voices Charter (free to download). In brief, the principles of the Charter are that survivor engagement should be safe, empowering, transparent, liberating, creative, should amplify the voices of survivors and should promote self-care. There will be no pressure for anyone to talk about things they do not want to talk about, and people will be free to come and go as they please. We will have an additional room available should anyone need to take some time out of the session. Confidentiality will be maintained. Notes will be taken but these will be anonymous and you can opt out of having your contribution recorded at any time. Support/signposting will be available.
How many people will attend the session?
Ideally, we will have about eight people attending, we will try (where possible) to ensure a mix of people with different backgrounds and experiences. There will also be three people helping to facilitate the session, one/two of whom are survivors themselves. Staff will represent the following organisations: McPin Foundation, Survivors Voices, and St George’s University of London.
Who do I contact for more information?
If you are interested in attending, please contact Dan Robotham at the McPin Foundation (DanRobotham@mcpin.org). Places are limited. Please also let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements. Places are limited but we will be reserving two spaces for people living in the Birmingham/West Midlands area.
The network is a group of organisations including universities, charities and individuals that are interested in this area. The network is funded by UK Research and Innovation and led by Dr Sian Oram and Professor Louise Howard (King’s College London). Organisations involved in the Network include: City University of London, Liverpool John Moores University, Newcastle University, St George’s University of London, UCL, University of Oxford, and University of Warwick, AGENDA, Action for Children, Against Violence and Abuse, Bristol Reconnect, Family Action, the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, McPin Foundation, MQ Mental Health, NSPCC, Place2Be, Rape Crisis, RESPECT, Safe Lives, Standing Together, Stefanou Foundation, the Survivors’ Trust, Survivors’ Voices, Women's Aid.
What can I expect if I attend?
We aim to engage people about what they feel are the most important issues to be explored and understood in this area. You will not be expected to talk about your specific experiences of violence and abuse (unless you feel it is relevant and you feel safe to do so). We will begin by introducing the purpose of the session and how what you say will help the Violence, Abuse & Mental Health Network decide what research to focus on in future. We will present the results from a survey where people (most of whom were survivors) were asked to suggest potential research topics. We will offer you the chance to comment on these topics, suggest new ones, shape research questions and tell us how you think they should be approached. This will be done through a variety of activities – individual, as a whole group and in sub-groups.
How will the session be run?
The session will be run according to the principles for good survivor engagement as outlined in the Survivors’ Voices Charter (free to download). In brief, the principles of the Charter are that survivor engagement should be safe, empowering, transparent, liberating, creative, should amplify the voices of survivors and should promote self-care. There will be no pressure for anyone to talk about things they do not want to talk about, and people will be free to come and go as they please. We will have an additional room available should anyone need to take some time out of the session. Confidentiality will be maintained. Notes will be taken but these will be anonymous and you can opt out of having your contribution recorded at any time. Support/signposting will be available.
How many people will attend the session?
Ideally, we will have about eight people attending, we will try (where possible) to ensure a mix of people with different backgrounds and experiences. There will also be three people helping to facilitate the session, one/two of whom are survivors themselves. Staff will represent the following organisations: McPin Foundation, Survivors Voices, and St George’s University of London.
Who do I contact for more information?
If you are interested in attending, please contact Dan Robotham at the McPin Foundation (DanRobotham@mcpin.org). Places are limited. Please also let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements. Places are limited but we will be reserving two spaces for people living in the Birmingham/West Midlands area.