Stafford businesses and other organisations are the latest to receive free training from New Era on the impact of domestic abuse, as part of a county-wide initiative to create ‘workplace champions’ with the skills and knowledge to support their colleagues.
Representatives from Staffordshire Football Association, Access Covers, JPR Solutions, Leek United Building Society and Stafford and Cannock League of Hospital Friends joined Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner Sue Arnold and experts from New Era to lift the lid on what is often a taboo subject at work.
New Era provides free, confidential help and practical support to anyone affected by domestic abuse – victims, perpetrators and their families – regardless of their age, gender or ethnicity, and operates across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The training sessions include a series of interactive, imaginative and thought-provoking presentations, workshops and role plays.
Following the training, participants will be able to spot the signs of domestic abuse, become the single point of contact – a designated domestic abuse ‘workplace champion’ – for their organisation, and be equipped with the knowledge to signpost colleagues to the most appropriate support service for them.
The domestic abuse awareness training is just one of a number of free services provided by New Era, which include support groups and tailored one-to-one sessions for children and adults.
New Era’s support for victims is provided by Victim Support and rehabilitative services for perpetrators are provided by the Reducing Reoffending Partnership.
New Era was commissioned in October 2018 by the Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire and Rescue and Crime Matthew Ellis, with Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner Sue Arnold said: ‘Domestic abuse costs the UK economy billions of pounds every year. Supporting domestic abuse victims not only makes good business sense, but is an investment in the health and wellbeing of employees in the workplace.
‘Through the New Era training, employers can take action so that staff who may be experiencing domestic abuse are able to feel safe and supported at work.’
Mickey Hemmings, New Era’s acting head of service, said: ‘Domestic abuse does not discriminate – it can happen to anyone. That’s why we’re making our free, one-day training available to all organisations across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent as part of New Era’s work in the community.
‘We were delighted to have this opportunity to showcase our domestic abuse Workplace Champions training to the Deputy Commissioner, who was able to see first-hand how our interactive and thought-provoking sessions are having a positive impact on local employees and employers.’
New Era works closely with Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce to identify businesses who would like their own domestic abuse workplace champion.
Local businesses who would like nominate employees for training can contact Tom Nadin at Staffordshire Chambers on 01782 202222 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
