More funding for Poole’s Up2U anti-domestic abuse programme

Borough of Poole has been awarded £450,000 to extend an innovative programme aimed at preventing domestic abuse.

The Up2U programme works with perpetrators of domestic abuse who recognise they use abusive behaviours within their relationships and want to change to create healthier relationships.

New funding from the Home Office’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Transformation Fund will allow Borough of Poole to continue to deliver Up2U across Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole for the next three years.

The Safer Poole Partnership launched Up2U in Dorset based on a programme developed by Portsmouth City Council. Since 2016, it has worked with 25 people across the county.

Cllr Elaine Atkinson, domestic violence champion for Borough of Poole, said, “It is vital to continue to fund programmes like this to help break the cycle of domestic abuse. I am really proud of the work that is happening here in Poole and across Dorset that is helping to reduce the risk of perpetrators moving from one victim to another by enabling them to change their behaviour.”

Domestic abuse: where to get help

Read more about Safer Poole Partnership

People use domestic abuse for different reasons ranging from power and control, learned behaviour, attitudes that promote male dominance, lack of emotional management skills and poor conflict resolution. Up2U assesses each participant and provides intervention-led packages, including one-to-one and group work, plus targeted sessions to address issues such as stalking, unhealthy sexualised behaviours and substance misuse.

Up2U can be tailored to work with both men and women from the age of 16, and can be delivered to people who use domestically abusive behaviours in same-sex relationships. Support is also offered to the partner or ex-partner of the participant to ensure ongoing safety and risk management.

Anthi Minhinnick, community safety partnership manager for the Safer Poole Partnership said, “The funding will enable us to engage with more families where domestic abuse is an issue, and means that people who want to change their behaviour and have healthy, non-abusive relationships will be able to access the necessary services to do so.”