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Original poster

The Freedom Programme

14 replies

CherrySour · 11/08/2017 11:26

Has anybody done the Freedome Programme to help deal with an abusive ex? Did you find it helpful?

Long story short, my DD has some fairly severe MH problems and we've finally got a social worker involved. They want me to do a parenting programme as well as the Freedom Programne but as I only have one day off a week, I can't realistically do both. I have said I will do it online instead but can't find a free one available and money is very tight so can't afford to pay. Does anyone know where I can do it for free online?

OP posts:
Original poster
CherrySour · 11/08/2017 19:51

Hopeful bump

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 11/08/2017 19:55

Have you tried Women's Aid? I'm sure many women can't afford to pay.

Good luck.

Original poster
CherrySour · 11/08/2017 20:03

Thanks Matilda. My local Women's centre offer the Freedom Programme but only as a face to face group 12 week programme. As I'm having to also do a parenting course, I won't be able to do both so was hoping there would be a free online version. Only one I've found is £10 which I really can't afford at the moment (£1000 on childcare just for the holidays Shock).

OP posts:
springydaffs · 11/08/2017 22:03

I don't get why you can't do both groups?

The Freedom Programme is (truly) wonderful. I'd personally walk over broken glass to get to it. Courses run during the day and evening so it doesn't have to be on your one day off.

I don't think the online course is anything like as effective as the f2f course. Do try to get along to a course if you can.

springydaffs · 11/08/2017 22:03

F2f course is free

SerendipityFelix · 11/08/2017 22:07

How long is each course, can you not do one and then do the other, rather than both at the same time?

WeDONTneedanotherhero · 11/08/2017 22:09

I agree with daffs, the face to face course is brilliant (I used to be a facilitator) and I'm sure you'd get a lot from it, in a very different way to the online course.

However if you are unable to do both then maybe ask you social worker to fund the online course for you. There is a pot of money for this type of thing.

FrancesHaHa · 11/08/2017 22:10

Freedom programme depends on funding, so some areas might have day and evening courses, some might not have any at all.

I would have a discussion with the social worker, and also whether they, or a local DV agency might be able to cover the cost. Although there's not much money around, they might consider it, especially if a fairly small amount of money (to them).

Personally I agree that face to face is better. Also bear in mind that in the parenting course there might be an expectation of putting into practice some of what you are learning. Doing all this and working might be pretty full on, and it might be better to do one at a time.

Original poster
CherrySour · 11/08/2017 22:14

Thanks for the suggestions all. I guess it's making a decision about what is more urgent. Both courses are 12 weeks long and run on the same day/time. There is an evening course but childcare would present an issue.

My DD is in crisis and I'm having to jump through hoops to get her the help she needs. They want to rule out my parenting which necessitates a parenting course. But I really struggle to handle my abusive XH and he makes my life intolerably harder which I just can't cope with when I need to be strong for DD.

I could do the courses sequentially of course but my SW doesn't want to overload me so I'm having to choose. If you were me, which course would you do first? I am also doing an online parenting course at the moment but they still want me to do their recommended one f2f.

OP posts:
RedStripeLassi · 11/08/2017 22:14

I started doing the online program. It's £10 to join and you can did in and out. I actually found the face to face free local dv centre more help though. (If you're lucky enough to have one near by find out by asking women's aid to direct you).

PearlyG8 · 11/08/2017 22:14

Do the Freedom programme if at all possible. It made a huge difference to me. Years later I did a great parenting course but no question the Freedom programme was life changing and in no way comparable.

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 11/08/2017 22:17

The freedom programme I went on wasn't great tbh. I had already done a lot of reading online, so a lot of stuff wasn't new if you've read Lundy Bancroft etc. Also, despite it being a closed group, they kept letting new people in, which altered group dynamics, and there was one new person who dominated the entire group every week, without the facilitators addressing it. I'm sure other people have had better experiences.

springydaffs · 11/08/2017 22:38

That's a shame spongebob. Did you give feedback about the facilitators? It wasn't a safe space for you bcs of the facilitators and it's important that is made known (so the facilitators get more training or are pulled).

I'd do the Freedom Programme first. You are terrorised by your ex, the FP will help to bring him down to size, as it were. Ie a little slug of a man who has no real power so has to terrorise innocents..

FrancesHaHa · 11/08/2017 23:01

Do you have other support? An IDVA could perhaps give you some support with the DV side if you decide to do the parenting course first. Likewise a family support worker could give you some interim parenting support if you do the freedom programme first?

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