Community Ambassador Programme

It's time we put a stop to abuse. It's time to step up. Be a part of the change, be a part of the solution and become a Domestic Abuse Community Ambassador.

Domestic Abuse is not a women's issue, it is everyone's issue. It will affect 1 in 4 women in their lifetime and 1 in 6-7 men. The Police receive a call about domestic abuse every 30 seconds and it costs the UK £billions every year.

What would you do if domestic abuse was affecting your friend? Your sister? Your mother? Would you know what to say and how to help? Have you recognised behaviours in your friends that are inappropriate, but you don't know what to do?

The RISE Communities Rising team invites you to be a part of the Community Ambassador Programme. We are changing the landscape for domestic abuse survivors across Brighton and Hove. Everyone is welcome to do this training, regardless of gender, background, or identity, but we particularly encourage men who want to step up and be a part of the solution. Sign up using the form at the bottom of this page.

Following on from the success of the Ask Me scheme, a Women's Aid initiative, the Community Ambassador programme is brand-new, free training for anyone who wants to step up, know how to help, have conversations with peers and challenge inappropriate behaviour.

We will be providing training in person on the following dates, or you can sign up to the waiting list to be the first to hear about new dates:

*PROGRAMME FULL - please sign up to waiting list* *UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX STUDENTS ONLY* Tuesday Evenings - 5pm - 8pm - 7th November, 14th November, 21st November, 28th November - Student Centre, University of Sussex

Saturdays - 10am - 4pm - 2nd and 9th December 2023 - Whitehawk Library, 179A Whitehawk Road, Whitehawk, BN2 5FL

Weekend - 10am - 4pm - 20th and 21st January 2024 - Location TBC

Monday Evenings - 5.30pm - 8.30pm - 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th February 2024 - Location TBC

*MEN ONLY* Wednesday Evenings - 5.30pm - 8.30pm - 6th March, 13th March, 20th March, 27th March 2024 - Location TBC

Tuesday Mornings - 10am - 2pm - 12th, 19th and 26th March 2024 - Location TBC

You must be able to attend ALL of the sessions in each group. Limited spaces are available so please sign up early to avoid disappointment.

We are offering the men only training to ask more men to step up and take part, but men are also more than welcome to join any of the programmes.

We are also excited to be offering the Student Community Ambassador programme in November at Sussex University. This programme is now full but we hope to offer this opportunity again in early 2024 and hope to bring this to Brighton University in the near future too.

If you would like more information about the programme, have any accessibility requirements or would like to be notified about future training dates, please do not hesitate to contact us via email at [email protected]

*Please note this training is not professional domestic abuse training, but community member training. Whilst it may be helpful in your professional role, we do not cover your safeguarding responsibilities as a professional and training should be sought through another agency.*

Community Ambassador Programme

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Community Ambassador Programme open to?

The programme is open to anyone of any gender, background or identity with a connection to the Brighton and Hove community (e.g. living, working, volunteering). Domestic Abuse is not just a women's issue, and it will not be solved until everyone is a part of the solution.

What is the minimum age to become a Community Ambassador?

You must be 18 years old to take part in the programme and become a Community Ambassador.

How long is the training?

The training is twelve hours in total spread across several sessions. We will provide a range of options whether this is across two longer sessions or a few mornings or evenings.

Is this training suitable as professional training?

This training is for community members – and we are all community members! But this is not professional domestic abuse training. You are welcome to attend this training as a member of your community and we would love to have you and your experience in the room.

I have personal experience of domestic abuse – can I join the programme?

Any survivor at any point of their journey is welcome to become a Community Ambassador. We believe that the survivor is the expert in their own life and how much they would like to be involved in the programme is up to them. Only you can decide what you are ready for. Many of our attendees may have personal experiences of abuse and they can make fantastic Community Ambassadors. Feedback from previous schemes has shown that being part of the training has been a real turning point in survivor’s lives and a part of their recovery process. You are also in control of your own journey and are free to opt out at any point. We recognise that this course may not be safe for people living with their abuser or for survivors who may need support for their own experiences first. If you’re not sure whether this applies to you, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to chat with you to help you decide.

Is this training available online?

Currently, we are only able to offer this training in person. However, if you decide to become an ambassador after the training, we offer a range of options to keep up with the network across different days and times both in person and online.

Community Ambassador Programme