My CWA - Cheshire Without Abuse

18/06/2026

Not every struggle is visible. 💙
As part of Men's Mental Health Week, MyCWA volunteer Clive shares his thoughts on why so many men find it difficult to talk about what they're going through.

Often it's pressure to "just get on with it", fear of being judged or not wanting to burden other people. Many men carry far more than those around them realise.

The reality is that opening up can be one of the hardest steps to take, but it can also be one of the most important.

Clive talks about men's mental health, the impact domestic abuse can have on wellbeing and how spaces such as our men's Peer Support Lounge give men the opportunity to talk openly, share experiences and realise they're not facing things alone.

You don't have to have all the answers. Sometimes the first step is simply having a conversation. 🗣️

15/06/2026

Growing older should never mean becoming invisible. 🫣

When people think about domestic abuse, they often picture younger couples or families with children.
But abuse can affect people at any age, including those in their 70s, 80s and 90s.

Sometimes it's a partner. Sometimes it's an adult child, relative, friend or carer. In most cases, elder abuse is carried out by someone the person knows and trusts, which can make it harder to recognise or speak about.

👉 One of the most common tactics used in abusive relationships is isolation.

It can start with someone being discouraged from seeing friends, attending groups, speaking to neighbours or staying connected with the people around them. Over time, that loneliness can make it much harder to ask for help or even recognise that something isn't right.

That's why conversations about loneliness and social isolation matter. Staying connected isn't just important for wellbeing. For some people, it can also be a protective factor against abuse.

Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and connected, no matter their age. 💜

11/06/2026

⚽The ugly side of the beautiful game...
Football itself does not cause abuse. Neither does alcohol. Domestic abuse is a choice made by the person causing harm.

While millions of us will be watching the World Cup this summer, counting down to kick-off and celebrating every goal, others may be feeling anxious. Not because they want their team to win, but because of what happens when the tournament starts.

Research has found that reported domestic abuse incidents can increase during major football tournaments.

As conversations turn to teams, scores and results, let's not forget those who may be feeling unsafe behind closed doors.

If you or someone you know needs support, call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or if you're local to us in Cheshire, we're always here for you:
☎️ 03333 449505
💻 mycwa.org.uk

09/06/2026

Domestic abuse survivors are often waiting months for support. ⌛

That’s why we’re hosting a series of FREE 30-minute webinars to introduce professionals to our Domestic Abuse Experts Step Forward to Recovery programme - a self-paced, online recovery programme now available free across the UK.

If you work with victim-survivors in the public, third, health, housing, education, criminal justice or domestic abuse sectors, this session will show you:

➡️ What the programme includes
➡️ Who it’s suitable for
➡️ How to signpost and refer
➡️ How it can strengthen your recovery pathway

Our next webinar takes place on Thursday 11th June, 12:30–1pm (MS Teams).

To book your place for this session, click here:
👉 https://domesticabuseexperts.myflodesk.com/sfjune2026

(You’ll receive the Teams link automatically after registering.)
To book any other dates, please email [email protected]
⚠️ PLEASE NOTE: The July session has been cancelled due to staff changes.

08/06/2026

New government consultation on the family court. I haven't fully read it yet but it looks as if some ideas will be quite harmful.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fconsultations%2Fa-fairer-end-to-relationships%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEwY2dCUjV6azJMdTRlTlVja3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR45SHB66O6vHmyMKC3B7Te_m2mBtbscCjRC9W-zz6uwVss9vakYTTq4-9CkjA_aem_YWdncwC9VEz97GOaly4o_dD1EKds%26brid%3DYWdncwENf31RiVnRFUQnXeZrln_a&h=AUDo7o1g9QS0yE6UddV4RBmcX2qsxkvXQptxioPesPjISu7AcuiaGnLuRDVaJlrdB4oPLFwprZSstwYJz9po5gjlbAemkAiUKpom0uC1aVsleDqHj_8OYZQWIFON5j-PctNsMX6n3MfB-w&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AUBzl2yM3Z5J7DcQ-hT_kykus1LgWSapcSsgBQ7sQrsIzU8PZeEjLXlcHJCOJzn3GkfV5Gnr_Tn_aMxsouR2gfjsbr3h_V5Tvxo3ig1Dq-359nnMWvY_j3yZG7YZF8aUj5167b9Gqes7qMXJU9_1WDE76Qp80zj0J5e38-3HqcIshP0a7AdDsNVyYPOeo5ygPaSDU2wZ1MLHGy55cWzPTrkbKDLpuw&c[1]=AUAHYom_2zQokjulJQvO-I14bxQisYhpomNk5QaaxsK0uZ0TPtqLwwtt9G-C57X75MvSitE2cTLpfwG8eGbfyPz-q5HEIdnYBno_CfWbeQ5Q2SeCMA2zWpM7KjNKMuq7GjjRmXp3y4bOq8FcB72M_axkqZscFW8A7YdZYQhmZ9D8Czf4SgDEMH-sEpW7hD-UwEeYJjs9tSMoZviQrQr8UIC0g2l3Ug

A consultation on reforming financial remedies on divorce and strengthening protections for cohabitants at the end of their relationship.

05/06/2026

💬 “Volunteering for MyCWA has got a number of qualities that a volunteer may not find with other charities”.

As Volunteers' Week comes to a close, we're handing the spotlight over to Clive, one of our fantastic male volunteers.

In this video, Clive shares what volunteering with MyCWA has been like for him, what he gets involved in, and why he enjoys being part of the team.

Volunteers come from all walks of life and bring different skills, experiences and perspectives. Clive's message is a great reminder that there are lots of ways to get involved and make a difference.

We're also always keen to hear from more men who are interested in volunteering and supporting adults and children affected by domestic abuse.

And finally, a huge thank you to every single person who volunteers with MyCWA. Whether you've given an hour, a day, a skill, a listening ear or your ongoing commitment, you've helped make a difference to the people we support.

Happy Volunteers' Week, and thank you for everything you do. 💜

03/06/2026

Sometimes the most valuable thing you can give is your time. 💜
Today we're celebrating the volunteers who support our group sessions, including Peer Support Lounge and other recovery programmes.

These volunteers help create welcoming, supportive spaces where survivors can connect with others, build confidence, learn new skills and focus on their wellbeing.

These wonderful people help set up sessions, make people feel comfortable, listen without judgement and provide a friendly face in the room - their impact is felt every week.

Recovery can feel overwhelming for those who experience domestic abuse, but having someone there who genuinely cares can make all the difference.

To all of our group work volunteers, thank you. Your kindness, compassion and commitment help make these spaces what they are. 💜

02/06/2026

Our volunteers help turn donations into support. 💜
As part of Volunteers' Week, today we're saying a huge thank you to the incredible volunteers at our Macclesfield shop My CWA's Live Free Community Store and Crewe centre.

Every item donated by our amazing local community has to be sorted, checked, unpacked, displayed and sold.

Our Crewe volunteers spend countless hours unpacking and sorting through generous donations from people across Cheshire, helping make sure items are ready for their next home.

Meanwhile, our Macclesfield shop volunteers welcome customers, keep the shop running smoothly and help turn those donated items into vital funds for MyCWA.

Every purchase made in our shop helps support adults and children affected by domestic abuse through MyCWA's services.

To all our shop and donation volunteers, thank you. Your time, dedication and hard work make a real difference every single day. 💜

01/06/2026

Volunteers are the backbone of MyCWA. 💜
As part of Volunteers' Week, we want to take a moment to thank the incredible people who give their time, skills and energy to support our work.

Today, we're recognising the volunteers who support us behind the scenes. The people who help paint and our family room spaces, pack donations, deliver items, lend a hand at events, share their expertise, and step up whenever help is needed.

Many of these roles happen out of the spotlight, but their impact is felt every day by our team and the families we support.

Quite simply, we couldn't do what we do without you.🙏
To every volunteer who has given their time to MyCWA, thank you. We appreciate every hour, every act of kindness and every contribution you make.

29/05/2026

🔺Triangulation happens when someone brings another person into a conflict in order to create tension and control, ‘win’ sympathy or to make someone jealous and insecure.

Instead of dealing with issues directly between the two people involved, they use a third person who is put in the middle. 👤👤👤

This could be an ex, friend, colleague, family member or even a child.

It’s one of the most misunderstood sources of emotional exhaustion and can happen in all types of relationships, not just between partners.

When used repeatedly to make someone feel insecure, replaced or emotionally unsettled, triangulation can become a form of emotional abuse and coercive control.

If you or someone you know needs support, call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or if you're local to us in Cheshire, we're always here for you:
☎️ 03333 449505
💻 mycwa.org.uk