Having reached the age of 45, I decided to take the leap of faith and attend F2S. I was terrified and crippled with fear at the very idea of opening up about my experiences. I had thoughts and experiences I had never ever shared with anyone, not even my now partner. I couldn’t even tell him that I was attending this group as I feared he would stop me (because he understands how hard it is to face trauma and he wouldn’t be able to cope with that).

So I attended the group every week and began working through my pain - it wasn’t easy but I have to say it has been utterly transformative for me having come through the whole course. I opened up and shared about things I never thought I would and never ever felt judged for doing so. Sparkle Sisters has been the safe space I needed. For the first time ever I felt validated in my experiences, because I was surrounded by like-minded women and they too felt empowered to open up. I felt loved, cared for and as though I mattered.

I can honestly say that I now feel like the mum I've longed to be, no longer the stuck feeling like a twelve year old, traumatised because of the abuse I experienced at the hands of my dad. Freedom2Sparkle has enabled me to move forward and i was able to tell my partner five weeks into the programme that I attended - he could visibly see the change in me and i just thank God, for giving me the courage to face lifelong pains and can truly say that i have been given the Freedom to Sparkle and want to help others to see that they too can be healed from their past.

I am so thankful for the Freedom2Sparkle programme because the abuse I experienced over the years by my ex-partner, affected every area of my life. I had been living in fear and basically in this constant cycle of survival mode. It had been affecting every choice and decision I made for myself on a daily basis and drinking alcohol became the only way to numb the pain. The more I would try to break this cycle the harder it became, I would feel lonely, isolated, pained and lost. All my friends drink and so that made it harder to break free because the temptation was too strong to remain part of the group of friends i had and withdrawing from them made me feel alone and as if i had no community.

Thankfully Women’s Aid told me all about Sparkle SIsters, so I started attending their events and through that was encouraged to attend the F2S programme. I was so nervous at the idea of attending because I didn't trust anyone. I thought they may gossip and talk about my story to others if I opened up, but I went along anyway. And am I glad I did - it was as others opened up about their experiences that I felt enabled to do the same. It is really hard to talk about things but I never ever felt pressured to do so. I was allowed to do it in my own time. I made friends through the group and also made new friends at the event which helped me distance myself from alcohol. Don’t get me wrong I have lapsed a few times in the process

but I never felt judged for that or sensed any disappointment towards me the fact that I did, but loved and cared for and strengthened by this experience. I have to say I love Sparkle SIsters and especially love coming to their events. I would encourage anyone to attend F2S, it's absolutely worth it and it's FREE! Go for it, is what i say!!