Free Your Mind

Free Your Mind Award Winning Childhood Domestic Violence Support and Education. Trauma Informed Holistic Therapy Se

1 in 3 children will have an issue with mental illness directly linked to the experience of seeing domestic violence at home. Free Your Minds mission is to support individuals that suffer with mental illness due to the traumatic experience of childhood domestic violence. Through our workshops, awareness campaigns and support services, we aim to give them the tools to look after their own happiness

and well being, and to promote the importance of having healthy relationships. Those who have dealt with a mental illness, know and have seen life in ways so many others won’t, they know a pain and perspective so many never will. You could say that those people have had a lucky escape, but we are the lucky ones. WE have faced incredible, tragedy, pain, confusion hurt and sadness and we are still here, still going, still trying, still breathing.

Awareness

19/08/2026

Games Day was SO much fun!

We worked in teams, but the competitiveness was on another level! 😂 Even our staff and volunteers joined in and our clients definitely didn’t take it easy on us!

From the 10-minute word search challenge to noughts and crosses, snacks and plenty of cold water, we had such a brilliant time.

It’s amazing to see how much our clients have grown over the years and the beautiful friendships that continue to blossom. 💜

Stay tuned for our next event! 👀

* Children’s faces have been blurred to protect their privacy *

17/08/2026

We had such a lovely time at our Focus Group, Colouring Bags & Clay Art Day! 💜

Our clients and former clients shared valuable feedback and created some incredible tote bag designs. We were amazed by their creativity and how quickly they brought their ideas to life with clay!

We’re so proud of everyone who took part.

Stay tuned for our next video from our Games Day event!

* Children’s faces have been blurred to protect their privacy *

14/08/2026

*Trigger Warning*

The article reports on the tragic death of Nika Bittova, 44, a mother of three, whose death was examined at an inquest following a prolonged custody dispute.💔

Nika had been in a 16-year relationship with the father of her children, but after their separation, they became involved in a custody battle. The inquest heard that Nika was unable to see her children because of a court order. She had also breached the order after visiting her daughter’s school in late 2024.

She reportedly became extremely distressed about being separated from her children and was afraid that police would arrest her because of the custody proceedings.
Nika had sought medical help for low mood and anxiety. In May 2025, she reportedly told her GP that she did not want medication and “just wanted to see her children.”

A friend had contacted her GP because of concerns about Nika’s wellbeing and comments she had made about taking her own life. She was recommended for counselling, but the NHS talking-therapy service reportedly declined the referral because she was already receiving counselling through a local mental-health charity.

Nika was staying with a friend in Berkshire when she died on 3 August 2025. Her friend later found her dead. Her friend described how Nika had changed from being a happy, smiling person and said that she desperately wanted to be reunited with her children.

The key safeguarding issue is the impact of prolonged separation from children and family-court proceedings on a parent’s wellbeing. The fact that she was refused additional support is heartbreaking to know.

Nika and her children were failed by the court system and support services. Sadly, many women are looking for support and do not receive it in time.

Email us at [email protected] if you have experienced domestic abuse and you or your child need support.

12/08/2026

*Trigger Warning*

The parents were granted shared legal custody of their daughters following Lindsay’s 2024 divorce filing.

Court records reported by WLUK and the Oshkosh Northwestern state that Jeffrey and Lindsay Lewandowski’s divorce was finalised just hours before Jeffrey and their two daughters were found dead.

Lindsay had previously raised concerns about her daughters’ safety while in their father’s care, according to her Facebook post:

“I was legally forced to send them when they felt unsafe,” she wrote. “Nobody wanted to listen. If someone listened to their cries for help for the last 2 years, they would still be here. The system failed my babies.”

Far too many mothers have raised concerns about their children’s safety, yet children are still forced to see an abusive parent or remain in their care.

In some devastating cases, mothers have even lost their children.

This is not an isolated issue. It is a global crisis.

How many more children and families must suffer before changes are made?

FreeYourMindCIC

Shania Twain has spoken openly about her traumatic childhood, revealing that she grew up in a physically abusive and “ve...
10/08/2026

Shania Twain has spoken openly about her traumatic childhood, revealing that she grew up in a physically abusive and “very violent” home.

“We definitely got smacked around a lot, and kicked around sometimes, literally kicked around,” she revealed. “If I was standing in the wrong place at the wrong time, definitely.”

The “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” artist said that her mother tried to leave her stepfather numerous times. “She did leave — we did leave — but he’d always find us, or she’d always give in and go back,” Twain said. “It was a cycle.” - The Independent: (31/7/26)

07/08/2026

Tom heard a sound after school that instantly changed his mood.

He told his mum and aunt. When they heard it too, they recognised it; a sound they had heard before when Tom’s dad had used a tracking device to locate or follow them.

Tom’s anxiety quickly returned. His mind began racing: “Can he find us again? Are we safe? What happens next?”

For Tom, it was a reminder of the fear he has lived with because of childhood domestic abuse.

05/08/2026

For a child already living with domestic abuse, fear for their pet can become another part of their Hidden Backpack. They may stay silent or comply with the perpetrator because they are terrified something will happen to an animal they love.

For children, this can look like:
- Threatening to hurt, take away, or abandon a beloved pet.
- Using the pet to punish or frighten the child.
- Making the child responsible for the pet’s safety.
- Threatening the pet when the child speaks about the abuse or wants to leave.
- Controlling access to the pet to manipulate the child or mother.

03/08/2026

"I don't want to go to Daddy's."

For Kimberley and many child victims of domestic abuse , those words are filled with fear.

Kimberly's mum is left heartbroken and searching for the right words, wondering what more she can say while thinking about the family court's decision.

31/07/2026

Thank You for Standing with Us.

As Childhood Domestic Abuse Awareness Month ended in June, we'd like to say another heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped us reach our Hidden Backpacks Campaign target.

Whether you donated, shared our campaign, welcomed our ambassadors, or supported online fundraiser, you've made a real difference to children affected by domestic abuse.

Collectively we have raised £770, but there's still time to support another child victim of domestic abuse. Please click the link in our bio and donate whatever you can.

If you'd like to organise a fundraiser, take on a challenge, or host an event in support of our Hidden Backpack Campaign in the coming months, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected] with your ideas or interest.

29/07/2026

A simple shopping trip became another frightening reminder of the abuse. The happiness and safety Joshua shared with his mum quickly turned into fear and uncertainty.

🎨 Win an original painting by our Ambassador,

Click the link in our bio to enter our prize draw with a £5 donation for your chance to win. You can help another child like Joshua start therapy with us.

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109 George Lane, Suite 3 Room 2
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Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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