Making a difference... Supporting Polish Domestic Abuse Victims

Jacob Ayre is the Community and Citizenship Officer at Wesleyan. In the below blog he shares his experience of visiting Opoka, a UK-based charity supporting Polish Domestic Abuse Victims.

Opoka received funding from Wesleyan Foundation in to increase staff numbers and programmes in 2021.

In May, I visited a fantastic charity called Opoka, which supports Polish women and children who experience domestic violence and abuse in the Polish community in the UK.

During COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, Opoka had a huge increase in calls for support, and they struggled to keep up with demand. When they were at their peak in June 2021, receiving 1458 calls for support, Opoka received funding from the Wesleyan Foundation to increase their staffing and programmes. Opoka focuses on recruiting staff members who speak polish, so that individuals from Poland are able to easily access services. It is common for polish families to move to England to work, and during this time, some experience domestic abuse. Woman tend to know little or no English and would struggle to access mainstream Victim Support services, meaning they become isolated in the community with limited natural support to help them.

Our funding provided additional staffing to work on the helpline, answering and returning calls. The helpline provides emotional support, as well as advice on how individuals can keep themselves safe. Opoka are linked to other victims organisations, so are able to refer individuals to additional services, and if needed, the police. There are cultural barriers in accessing support, which Opoka are specialist in overcoming; they ensure all individuals feel safe sharing their experiences. One helpline user provided Opoka with the following feedback:

“I didn’t think I would be able to find help in my mother language. At Opoka I was listened to without judgement and supported well to start the process of recovery. Helpline worker explained all the options available for me and provided emotional support throughout. I am so grateful for the patience and understanding I received. I started a new chapter in my life and now I live independently with my daughters.”

Wesleyan also funded additional Freedom Programme sessions. The Freedom Programme provides support and advice on managing domestic abuse relationships, how to protect themselves, and understanding what an abuse-free relationship should look like. The programme allows a safe place for victims to speak to one another and to receive support from an Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor (IDVA). An individual, who had participated in the Freedom Programme, states:

"Since joining the Freedom programme I have learned a lot of different types of behaviours. I have also learned how to deal with my emotions. Listening to other girls' stories has given me a hope for a better future and also reassurance that I am not alone in my experience, and unfortunately, there are many women who are a victim of abuse. I feel like I have been given " new lungs " to start living my life again. I am richer in the knowledge I have received during the completion of the programme."

An individual, who had previously benefited from Opoka's services, wanted to give something back to the charity, so they promoted the service as a volunteer Ambassador and raised over ￡1000 for the organisation. The individual now works for Opoka's helpline services. Staff members who have personally experienced abuse provides a deeper understanding to the service, and allows them use their own recovery process to assist others.

Since receiving Wesleyan funding in June 2021 to May 2022, Opoka provided support sessions for 458 people through their IDVA service, 45 attended their Freedom programme, and have answered 7,168 support calls to their helpline. Opoka has plans to grow, with hopes of introducing a refuge house service; this would allow victims and their families to live free from abuse. From meeting with the staff at Opoka and hearing their victims' stories, I can see what ‘a rock’ they are to the Polish Community, what an important use of Wesleyan Foundation’s funds this is.

Click here to learn more about Wesleyan Foundation.