Discover how Choices and We Thrive are transforming recruitment for survivors of domestic abuse through trauma-informed career coaching and employability support.

Happiness at work starts with small acts of care. This World Happiness Day, discover five simple ways to foster kindness, support, and connection in the workplace. Learn how checking in, celebrating wins, offering help, sharing knowledge, and self-care can create a culture where everyone thrives.

The Labour government’s recent announcement of benefit cuts and National Insurance (NI) increases is set to reshape the welfare system - but at what cost? While the government claims these changes will encourage more people into work, for survivors of domestic abuse, the reality is far more complex.

For many survivors, financial stability is the key to escaping abuse and rebuilding their lives. Yet, by reducing access to essential financial support without investing in survivor-specific employment support, these policy changes could trap survivors in poverty or force them back into unsafe situations.

If the government is serious about helping people back into work, cutting benefits is not the answer. Instead, we need trauma-informed career support, workplace protections, and policies that recognise the unique challenges survivors face.

Understanding the Homicide Timeline: Why Workplaces Must Support Domestic Abuse Survivors

This blog explores Dr. Jane Monckton-Smith’s 8-stage Homicide Timeline and its connection to coercive control, domestic abuse, and the risks survivors face. Reflecting on personal experience, it highlights how recognising these warning signs can help individuals understand their risk and access support. The blog also emphasizes the critical role of workplaces as a lifeline for survivors—offering safety, financial independence, and a space to seek help. With too few employers recognising the impact of domestic abuse in the workplace, the blog calls for more inclusive workplace policies, trauma-informed support, and employer awareness to create safer working environments.

Survivors of domestic abuse face multiple barriers to employment, and for many, these challenges are compounded by health conditions or disabilities. These may predate the abuse, have been worsened by it, or, in some cases, been directly caused by it. Yet, too often, the conversation around employability support for survivors overlooks the reality that many need workplace adjustments or specialist support to manage their health while rebuilding their careers.

A recent Personnel Today article highlights the value of the UK government's Access to Work scheme, which provides financial and practical support for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to enter or remain in work. While the scheme is underutilised, it can be a lifeline for survivors of domestic abuse who may be struggling with physical injuries, chronic illnesses, or the psychological impact of trauma.

Domestic abuse doesn’t just happen behind closed doors. For many survivors, the effects spill over into their professional lives, impacting their ability to work, earn, and progress in their careers. A new study published in 2024 in The Quarterly Journal of Economics provides compelling evidence of how economic abuse and financial dependence play a central role in abusive relationships, reinforcing the need for workplace policies and employer awareness to support those affected.

For many survivors, navigating life after domestic abuse can feel overwhelming. The impact on confidence, decision-making, and career aspirations can be profound. Paula, a Flying High client, shares her journey of personal growth, mindset shifts, and new found confidence.

The Flying High Programme is designed to provide trauma-informed coaching for women who have experienced domestic abuse. We ran our pilot in 2024, aiming to explore how coaching could support survivors in rebuilding their careers with confidence and self-determination. Now, with the pilot complete, we are excited to share the evaluation findings and the impact this programme has had on both participants and coaches.

In recent years, terms like "trauma-informed" and "trauma-sensitive" have become increasingly common in conversations about mental health, education, healthcare, and workplace practices. But what do these terms really mean, and why are they so vital in our interactions with others?

Leaving an abusive relationship is just the beginning of navigating its far-reaching impacts. The effects of abuse can profoundly shape career trajectories, undermining confidence, stability, and long-term professional goals. Even after escaping the abusive relationship, women often face enduring challenges that affect their ability to thrive in the workplace. This blog explores these challenges, drawing on recent research to shed light on their complexities and long-term implications.

The impact of domestic abuse extends far beyond the immediate physical and emotional harm. It can shatter your confidence, disrupt your career, and make it feel impossible to envision a positive future. Choices understands these challenges and is dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic abuse as they rebuild their lives and careers. We offer specialised coaching designed to help you heal, grow, and achieve your professional goals.

The Flying High Programme is a 1:1 career coaching programme for women aged 25 and over who have experienced domestic abuse and are employed, self-employed, or seeking employment. Our experienced all- women coaching team take a trauma-informed approach and they provide a safe, secure space for our clients to explore their career goals and access the specialist, personalised support they need and deserve. This case study explores how the Flying High Programme supported Samantha to gain confidence and flourish in her career.

Survivors of domestic abuse often face long-term emotional and psychological challenges that can make it difficult to focus on and succeed in their careers. Employers can play a key role in helping survivors regain confidence and rebuild their professional lives, but many may not know where to start. Trauma-informed career coaching offers an effective solution that that can help survivors navigate the unique hurdles they face and support them to move forward in their careers.