Connect Group
The Connect Women's Group was developed to support women involved in offending behaviour. Women who are at risk of offending can also attend.
Connect uses a trauma-informed approach to help women re-establish control of their lives. Physical, psychological, and emotional safety is very important.
The group runs for 12 weeks, once a week, in Prestonpans. Mornings are about good communication, self-esteem, managing stress, understanding emotions and decision making. In the afternoon it's all about expanding the women's social capital. We do this through things like fitness classes, crafts or meditation, or getting outdoors.
Being able to understand myself helped to make my life easier.
What benefits does it provide?
Connect provides women with space, time-out from daily life, and a safe environment. The skills they learn can help to motivate and influence them to make changes in their lives.
Connect is a stepping stone in a journey, where women can gain a greater understanding of their own emotions, behaviours and actions.
After the group, women can go to further courses or support networks to reduce their risk of contact with the police or courts.
What do attendees have to say?
Paula, who recently completed her 12 week course comments,
"I found the Connect programme really informative. It was relaxed, supportive, caring, community focused, and mindful of attendee's experiences. It was great to learn about self-love/care and especially how to value yourself.
Having attended the course, I have learnt lots of coping mechanisms, self-care, self- worth and self-control. I've learnt how to focus on what matters. How my actions have consequences for others but also for myself. I've also learned about the thoughts, feelings and emotions triangle. Understanding that thoughts are not always facts, but they can impact our actions and behaviours. Being able to understand myself helped to make my life easier.
The reinforced learning of completing the sessions twice over really enhanced the learning for me. It was important not to feel rushed, and great to be able to question the learning in a safe space. It was also a lot of fun too. There was always a lot of laughter. I would absolutely recommend it.
Making a referral
If you are a professional that wishes to make a referral for someone into the Connect Programme please e-mail connect@eastlothian.gov.uk or call Alison Lynch on 01620 827939 to find out more information about the initiative.
Image credit: Community Justice Scotland.