When we first met Naomi she had a history of being in high-risk domestic abuse relationships. Life felt chaotic, Naomi was offending, drinking heavily, using drugs, and her mental health was suffering. What life looked like every day for Naomi was unmanageable, and the risk to her life was very real.

Naomi’s peer navigator was persistent in working alongside her to find out what she was dealing with and how we could help her to stay safe in the short term, before building up trust to start working on the bigger picture.

Getting specialist domestic abuse support from Fylde Coast Women’s Aid meant that safety planning could be carried out, whilst we worked with Naomi to access drug and alcohol assessments and focus on housing. Naomi was admitted to hospital and went through a medically managed detox programme with our team beside her for support. Once discharged from hospital, we kept support around Naomi to help her to remain sober and drug free, creating a positive routine of activities to start the long road of rehabilitation. Naomi embraced support and was ready to see life through a different lens; she was committed to living life well.

After a challenging time breaking free from all that had been holding her back, Naomi felt encouraged that perpetrators of her abuse were arrested and charged, signalling a new phase for her. She also felt stronger following support from Women’s Aid and our team around future relationships. Naomi is now back in education, has made a new home, and started part time employment. She is in the early stages of building back her relationships with her son and mother, hopeful that she has brighter times ahead with them both now that she is sober, drug free and can see a better future.