I’ve been a trustee with YOU for three years following a move to Hampshire from London. Before that I was an associate professor in psychology at London South Bank University. Becoming a trustee has given me the opportunity to learn about the amazing work YOU does in many communities along the South Coast. It’s afforded me the chance to develop my knowledge of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (I am the Trustees’ ED&I Champion). Work in this area has recently included identifying an organization to run ED&I training for all trustees which takes place in 2023.
Trip to Hampshire PARAGON
Recently my colleague Marcia and I went to visit Paragon, our domestic abuse (DA) service in Hampshire.
First, we met two support workers at Basingstoke Hospital. One of our team is a Health Advocate there, supporting patients who are experiencing domestic abuse. Her work includes staff and families of patients. Other responsibilities include providing domestic abuse awareness training for all hospital workers.
The second person we met is a Police Advocate. She goes out on Friday and Saturday nights with police response cars called out to serious incidents of abuse. When she’s not doing that, she’s answering calls to a domestic abuse help line.

Refuge visit
We then went on to Paragon’s refuge (safe house) where support and accommodation are provided for women. We met the team and one of the residents and had informative conversations with all of them.
Visits such as these are an important part of Trustees’ work at YOU. As well as being part of quality assurance processes, it helps us to learn about the wide-ranging services the organisation provides. We get to meet amazing people, both staff and those they work with. Hopefully, we also provide them with insights into our role as trustees and the work we do.
Over the next year, in addition to service visits and supporting the Trust in continuing to develop ED&I strategies, I have a particular interest in the work YOU does in counselling and supporting survivors of Domestic Abuse and hope I can learn more about work in this area.