Training and resources
Domestic abuse open access groups
Our open access groups for women affected by domestic abuse run weekly at venues in Chester, Ellesmere Port and Winsford.
The groups are all supported by qualified IDVA’s (Independent Domestic Violence Advocate) who are able to offer confidential advice and support to women relating to a range of subjects surrounding domestic abuse.
The groups provide somewhere for women affected by domestic abuse to go, so that they can seek advice, interact with others, share experiences and allow their voice to be heard. The sessions offer a safe environment where women can also enjoy refreshments and social sessions such as arts and crafts, beauty and wellness.
The sessions don’t require a formal referral from any organisation, women who are affected by domestic abuse can drop into any session at any time during the two-hour timeframe.
The sessions run on a weekly basis, with potential for change on bank holidays and during the school holidays.
Chester
Tuesdays, 10am - 12pm
Storyhouse, Hunter St, Chester, CH1 2AR
- 15 October - Welcome and get to know
- 22 October - Beliefs and attitudes
- 29 October - Healthy relationships
- 5 November - Safety
- 12 November - Wellbeing
- 19 November - General chat (guest speaker)
- 26 November - General chat
- 3 December - Welcome and get to know
- 10 December - Safety
- 17 December - Cycle of control
Ellesmere Port
Wednesdays, 10am - 12pm
Stanlaw Abbey Children's Centre, Alnwick Drive, CH65 9HE
- 16 October - Welcome and get to know
- 23 October - Beliefs and attitudes
- 30 October - Healthy relationships
- 6 November - Safety
- 13 November - Wellbeing
- 20 November - General chat
- 27 November - General chat
- 4 December - Welcome and get to know
- 11 December - Safety
- 18 December - Cycle of control
Winsford
Thursdays, 9:30am - 11:30am
New Images Youth and Community Centre, Nixon Drive, Winsford, CW7 2HG
- 17 October - Welcome and get to know
- 24 October - Beliefs and attitudes
- 31 October - Healthy relationships
- 7 November - Safety
- 14 November - Wellbeing
- 21 November - General chat (guest speaker)
- 28 November - General chat
- 5 December - Welcome and get to know
- 12 December - Safety
- 19 December - Cycle of control
Although sessions are given a general theme it is acknowledged that open access groups are client led to enable people to have immediate access to support dependent on their individual needs and circumstances.
Chester
Tuesdays, 10am - 12pm
Storyhouse, Hunter St, Chester, CH1 2AR
- 7 January - Welcome and get to know
- 14 January - Beliefs and attitudes
- 21 January - Healthy relationships
- 28 January - Safety
- 4 February - Wellbeing
- 11 February - General chat
- 18 February - Welcome and get to know
- 25 February - Beliefs and attitudes
- 4 March - Healthy relationships
- 11 March - Safety
- 18 March - Wellbeing
- 25 March - General chat
- 1 April - Welcome and get to know
- 8 April - Beliefs and attitudes
- 15 April - Healthy relationships
- 22 April - Safety
- 29 April - Wellbeing
- 6 May - General chat
- 13 May - Welcome and get to know
- 20 May - Beliefs and attitudes
- 27 May - Healthy relationships
- 3 June - Safety
- 10 June - Wellbeing
- 17 June - General chat
- 24 June - Welcome and get to know
- 1 July - Beliefs and attitudes
- 8 July - Healthy relationships
- 15 July - Safety
- 22 July - Wellbeing
- 29 July - General chat
- 5 August - Welcome and get to know
- 12 August - Beliefs and attitudes
- 19 August - Healthy relationships
- 26 August - Safety
Ellesmere Port
Wednesdays, 10am - 12pm
Stanlaw Abbey Children's Centre, Alnwick Drive, CH65 9HE
- 8 January - Welcome and get to know
- 15 January - Beliefs and attitudes
- 22 January - Healthy relationships
- 29 January - Safety
- 5 February - Wellbeing
- 12 February - General chat
- 19 February - Welcome and get to know
- 26 February - Beliefs and attitudes
- 5 March - Healthy relationships
- 12 March - Safety
- 19 March - Wellbeing
- 26 March - General chat
- 2 April - Welcome and get to know
- 9 April - Beliefs and attitudes
- 16 April - Healthy relationships
- 23 April - Safety
- 30 April - Wellbeing
- 7 May - General chat
- 14 May - Welcome and get to know
- 21 May - Beliefs and attitudes
- 28 May - Healthy relationships
- 4 June - Safety
- 11 June - Wellbeing
- 18 June - General chat
- 25 June - Welcome and get to know
- 2 July - Beliefs and attitudes
- 9 July - Healthy relationships
- 16 July - Safety
- 23 July - Wellbeing
- 30 July - General chat
- 6 August - Welcome and get to know
- 13 August - Beliefs and attitudes
- 20 August - Healthy relationships
- 27 August - Safety
Winsford
Thursdays, 9:30am - 11:30am
New Images Youth and Community Centre, Nixon Drive, Winsford, CW7 2HG
- 9 January - Welcome and get to know
- 16 January - Beliefs and attitudes
- 23 January - Healthy relationships
- 30 January - Safety
- 6 February - Wellbeing
- 13 February - General chat
- 20 February - Welcome and get to know
- 27 February - Beliefs and attitudes
- 6 March - Healthy relationships
- 13 March - Safety
- 20 March - Wellbeing
- 27 March - General chat
- 3 April - Welcome and get to know
- 10 April - Beliefs and attitudes
- 17 April - Healthy relationships
- 24 April - Safety
- 1 May - Wellbeing
- 8 May - General chat
- 15 May - Welcome and get to know
- 22 May - Beliefs and attitudes
- 29 May - Healthy relationships
- 5 June - Safety
- 12 June - Wellbeing
- 19 June - General chat
- 26 June - Welcome and get to know
- 3 July - Beliefs and attitudes
- 10 July - Healthy relationships
- 17 July - Safety
- 24 July - Wellbeing
- 31 July - General chat
- 7 August - Welcome and get to know
- 14 August - Beliefs and attitudes
- 21 August - Healthy relationships
- 28 August - Safety
Male access groups
For men who have experienced domestic abuse, the open access group is held at Storyhouse, Chester, 12.30pm - 2.30pm.
- Tuesday 15 October
- Tuesday 19 November
- Tuesday 17 December
2025 dates
- Tuesday 21 January
- Tuesday 18 February
- Tuesday 18 March
- Tuesday 15 April
- Tuesday 20 May
- Tuesday 17 June
- Tuesday 15 July
- Tuesday 19 August
