At Kyra, we know that recovery doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some women, what’s needed most is time, trust, and support that meets them exactly where they are.
That’s what our FREYA programme is designed to offer. FREYA provides one-to-one, personalised support, where each woman is matched with a dedicated caseworker who works alongside her to navigate abuse, rebuild confidence, and move forward safely.
This is Sally’s journey through it.
Behind the Surface
“To the outside world, I was Wonder Woman, a successful career woman and a dedicated single mother of three.”
But behind closed doors, things were very different.
Sally was living through multiple layers of abuse: emotional abuse from her mother, an abusive partner, and ongoing post-separation abuse from her ex-husband. With no local support network, she described constantly “walking on eggshells,” having been conditioned to believe everything was her fault.
“I told myself it didn’t happen to women like me… Nobody will believe me.”
That fear is incredibly common. In fact, 33% of domestic abuse survivors say they feared they would not be believed.
Eventually, the impact became too much to ignore. Not just for herself, but for her children.
Finding Kyra
After months of searching for help, Sally reached out. Previous services hadn’t felt right: “I didn’t feel truly heard for what I believed I needed.”
For many women, this part of the journey can be one of the hardest. Support can sometimes feel too general, too structured, or not responsive to the complexity of what someone is going through. Especially when abuse is ongoing, comes from multiple sources, or doesn’t fit a single, clear narrative.
But that changed when she contacted Kyra.
“I was offered a face-to-face appointment that same week… for the first time, I was met with an immediate action plan, help and support.”
From there, Sally was referred into multiple areas of support, including counselling (ran by our brilliant Head Counsellor Ann Pinsent), our five-week domestic abuse recovery course ORLA, and the FREYA programme.
Kyra offers a range of different support, from courses, workshops, peer support groups, practical help and 1-1 work
Why FREYA Was Different
“FREYA was life-changing because it was built entirely around me.” Working one-to-one with her caseworker Molly, she found something she hadn’t had before: a safe, private space to speak openly.
“At that point in my journey, the idea of sharing my trauma in a group setting was impossible… having a dedicated, trusted space was the only way I felt safe enough to begin.”
The long-term, flexible nature of FREYA was key. There was no fixed endpoint; instead, support adapted as Sally’s situation changed.
“Kyra and this programme understand that healing from trauma is a non-linear process.”
Together, they worked on:
- Safely leaving her partner and securing her home
- Managing post-separation abuse
- Navigating complex relationships
- Rebuilding confidence and self-worth
“Molly helped me find my ‘gut instinct’ again… She validated my feelings and helped me realise the abuse was not my fault.”
From Victim to Survivor
After over a year of support, the change has been profound: “I am no longer the woman who walked through Kyra’s doors… I am now a survivor.”
Sally has since left her abusive relationship, rebuilt her confidence, and regained control of her life.
“I can now identify the signs of abuse and trust my own judgment… I am in charge of my life.”
Why This Work Matters
FREYA isn’t a one-size-fits-all programme. It’s built around the individual, offering consistent, trauma-informed support for as long as it’s needed.
“This programme didn’t just support me, it empowered me to reclaim my future.”
Want to Learn More?
If you’d like to find out more about the FREYA programme, make a referral, or speak to someone about support at Kyra, email [email protected].
If you’d like to help us continue offering life-changing, personalised support like this, you can support Kyra by donating or fundraising. We’d love to hear from you!
