Hidden Scars: Ending Harmful Practices - All London Boroughs

Training Course

Hidden Scars: Understanding the Trauma and Psychological Impact of Harmful Practices

About this course

This half day programme provides a foundational understanding of what harmful practice is and how to implement appropriate and timely responses.

Participants will have an opportunity to reflect on their own practice and identify areas for improvement in providing support

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion participants will have:

• Gained an understand what harmful practice is

• Increase awareness of how harmful practice manifests as violence against

women and girls (VAWG)

• Increase awareness of what constitutes timely responses

• Understand how to implement appropriate and effective support

• Improve practice responses

Explore self and collective care

Dates:

Tuesday 14th May 2025

The training will be delivered via Zoom and will take place from 10:00 - 15:00

Who this course is for:

This course have been developed for front-line female staff, working directly with Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) working within London organisations. Please note that due to funding requirements, this free course is only available to female professionals providing VAWG services in London.

Due to funding restrictions, statutory organisations and private practitioners cannot access this free LC funded training.

Due to the level of demand for WGN training, and to ensure that as many organisations as possible are able to benefit from accessing training, we cannot accept more than 2 applicants from any one organisation for each course.

It is usually not possible to offer individual delegates a place on more than one training course within the same academic year.

Please note that applying on Eventbrite does not automatically gain you a place on the course. There is an additional shortlisting process we have to undertake to ensure the criteria set by our funders have been met before offering a place to an applicant.

Please apply early to avoid disappointment, as many of WGN’s courses are over-subscribed and the application process may be closed early as a result.

Cancellation policy

If you do not cancel your confirmed allocated place more than 48 hours before the course commences your organisation will be charged an administration fee of £50.00 per day. Once a place on the course has been offered and accepted, failure to attend or submit course work may result in a £50.00 fee.

Please note WGN training courses are frequently oversubscribed and, when possible, we would like to offer places to other delegates on the waiting list. Therefore, if your application is successful and a place is allocated to you but you cannot attend the training, please notify us as soon as possible.

Occasionally WGN may decide to cancel a course if the number of delegates attending would mean that delivery would not be cost-effective. We endeavour to give all delegates as much notice as possible of cancelled training.

This course is free, however WGN will not be able to cover the costs for travel expenses, child/dependent care, and meals/refreshments.

Please note that if you are successful in your application, you will need to provide a form of ID at the start of the training.

Data Protection

We obtain information about you when you contact us about our training courses and this can be via the phone, in person, by email, referrals and when you use our website. You can read our Privacy Statement for further information on why and when we collect personal information about you.

By applying for this training, you agree to WGN storing your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Statement.

FAQs

Q: Where can I contact the organiser with any questions?

A: Please email training@wgn.org.uk (please note this account is usually checked three times a week) .

About Women and Girls Network (WGN) WGN is a free, women-only service that supports women in London who have experienced violence, or are at risk of violence. We offer counselling, advocacy and advice for women and girls who have experienced gendered violence, including sexual and domestic violence. Our overall aim is to promote, preserve and restore the mental health and well-being of women and girls, to empower them to make a total and sustainable recovery from their experiences of violence.

WGN's Training Ethos We are unapologetically Feminist, Intersectional and Anti-Racist.WGN's training has at its heart the Women and Girls Network ethos. Much like the services we provide to women and girls, the principles of feminism, intersectionality, holistic and creative approaches are threads that run through all of our training.

As a Black led feminist organisation, our intention and plan is to progress conversations and actions into development of programmes that address themes of oppression, provide healing for racial and identity trauma, and provide safe spaces and practical strategies to engage Black and minoritised women. We are passionate about delivering training that influences best practice and improves and enhances the effectiveness of front-line professionals working in the field of violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Attending our training gives you a deeper understanding of and one of a kind insight into WGN's models and approaches. WGN has been working with women and girls for over thirty years and our training is packed with ancient womanist healing integrated with 21st century neuro-science. The training provides knowledge, tools, skills, and experiences for you to further enhance your practice.

You can find more information about WGN by visiting our website: https://www.wgn.org.uk/our-services/training-and-consultancy

About the Trainer

Michelle Springer- Benjamin is a trained social worker, counsellor and life coach. She worked for over 12 years as a counsellor with young people aged 13-25, at a young people’s advice, counselling and therapy centre as a counsellor, senior counsellor and clinical services manager.Michelle also worked as a senior consultant for the NSPCC providing training and consultation to organisation in relation to safeguarding and child protection, delivering training and undertaking training needs analysis. Michelle is currently the training manager for Women and Girls Network (WGN) and has been involved in WGN’s training department for over 20 years.

Her specialist area of work includes gender based violence and child sexual abuse.

In her self-time Michelle writes children stories and tries to stay connected to spirit