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Echo is an innovative project spanning Bolton, Leicestershire and Sheffield which aims to transform responses to domestic abuse by ensuring survivor voices are at the centre of design and delivery of policies and services.
In 2023, thanks to National Lottery players, SafeLives received more than £1.44m from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK, for a community led approach to ending domestic abuse. The three-year project will deliver a blueprint for embedding child and adult domestic abuse survivors’ voices in community approaches to preventing, and supporting recovery from, domestic abuse.
Echo, led by SafeLives in collaboration with local partners, is putting local organisations and survivors at the heart of tackling domestic abuse by supporting them to share lived experience to develop best practice.
The project aims to:
The name Echo was designed and chosen by SafeLives Pioneers and Changemakers:
As Maya, a SafeLives Changemaker explained:
The name ‘Echo’ was chosen to reflect the project’s core goal; ensuring that the voices of survivors are heard, shared, and amplified throughout the research and design process or, in other words, ‘echoed’ throughout the domestic abuse response. It also highlights our intention to ‘echo’ this survivor-centred approach across all three locations, ensuring consistency and impact in our work. Through this approach, we aim to create sustainable, survivor-led models that will help drive long term, positive change for those affected by domestic abuse.
As a pilot, Echo’s achievements will help deliver a national blueprint for embedding child and adult domestic abuse survivors’ voices in community approaches to domestic abuse.
SafeLives is working alongside leading local services who will ensure that survivors are supported to share their voices safely, empowering them to use their experiences to help change and save lives.
From sharing feedback through surveys and interviews, taking part in workshops and group sessions, to co- production and development, there are different ways for survivors to be involved with Echo. The project takes an inclusive approach that welcomes voices from across all communities, from adult and child survivors alike.
Shana Begum, SafeLives Pioneer who is helping lead the project in BoltonIncorporating Authentic Voice into systems and services is not a luxury, but a necessity. Project Echo, the first of its kind in Bolton, Leicestershire and Sheffield, will give survivors a voice and a platform to influence change in domestic abuse services. The project values the lived experiences of survivors and aims to shape local services based on what is working and what needs improvement. It helps change the perception of individuals and families affected by domestic abuse and builds an infrastructure that truly meets the needs of the community.
Annie, SafeLives Pioneer, helping lead the project in SheffieldI am proud to be the lead Pioneer in Sheffield for Project Echo. As a survivor I know that nothing should ever be about us without us. I truly hope Echo will be the start of a domino effect, inspiring others to follow and ensuring that survivor voices become embedded across all responses to harmful practices, domestic and sexual abuse. Only then can we ensure organisations involved in creating safe spaces are fully informed by what we need to overcome abuse. By using our voices we hope Echo will inspire more survivors to come forward to seek help and empower them to use their own skills to create change.
Any local survivor wishing to get involved can register their interest in our form below
You can read our privacy notice here
For more information please email contact the team
Endeavour in Bolton provides a range of domestic abuse services for people and their pets.
We are a registered charity offering a wide range of services including front line community based support, group work and counselling for those affected by domestic abuse.
Fortalice is a Bolton-based charity providing frontline services for people who are, or have been, affected by domestic abuse and violence.
Our support includes refuge accommodation, local community services, education and accredited training for professionals.
Living Without Abuse (LWA) is a domestic and sexual abuse charity based in Loughborough, Leicestershire, and was formerly known as Loughborough Women’s Aid. We provide support to men, women and children affected by domestic abuse and/or sexual violence across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Sheffield Mind is a Mental Health Charity providing emotional and practical support to people in Sheffield with mental health issues.
Haven is an independent charity providing specialist services in the Sheffield area for children and young people affected by domestic abuse.
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