BRAVE too for men: Because Domestic Abuse Doesn't Discriminate
BRAVE is all about Building Resilience and Valuing Emotions for men after domestic abuse
BRAVE Too Referral Form
What is BRAVE Too and who is it for?
At BRAVE Too, we provide therapeutic support for men over 18 across Berkshire who have experienced domestic abuse and who also experience emotional difficulties following this abuse. If you are a man registered with a GP in Berkshire and do not use a Community Mental Health Team’s services, BRAVE Too is available for you. You must also be living safely away from the abuser. While BRAVE Too is for men, we also support people of all other genders; please see the main BRAVE page for more information.
If you’re being supported by your local Community Mental Health Team, then please speak to your team about available support options (or visit the FAQs below). To get an idea of the support BRAVE offers, please see the BRAVE Too introduction video here. This video was created by graduates from the men’s group to welcome new members into BRAVE Too.
26% of all domestic abuse-related crimes occur against men, but almost half of men affected do not tell anyone they have experienced domestic abuse, according to ManKind and the Office of National Statistics. As such, we believe there is an urgent need for a men’s service and raising awareness of their situation. From the response we’ve had to launching BRAVE Too, it’s clear how necessary and welcomed a men’s service is. We used this name for the service to signify that men are brave, too.
BRAVE Too begins with an initial conversation about what’s going on for you and your difficulties, to see how we can best support you to move forward. You might be invited to join the BRAVE Too group if it’s appropriate, or we can also discuss other alternatives with you.
The group is single sex and allows you to learn new skills to manage your emotions and avoid longer-term difficulties. We purposely use groupwork to connect you with other men who truly understand, and we won’t ask you to share anything you’re not comfortable with.
Once you complete a BRAVE Too course, you’ll be invited to join BRAVE Too Reunion, our monthly group for you to give and receive support from other men who have found BRAVE helpful.
BRAVE Too works with partner organisations, such as Hestia, Cranstoun, DASH, and more to help provide both practical and psychological support across Berkshire. We understand that domestic abuse can affect anyone, but you are not alone! To get in touch with BRAVE Too, email us at bravetoo@berkshire.nhs.uk or see our other contact details below.
BRAVE Too is commissioned by the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner with MoJ funding.
What men love about BRAVE Too (in their own words)
Togetherness
“BRAVE Too helped me to engage with other men and to know that I was not alone.”
Supportive Space
“What I found surprising is how you made it into a safe environment that got us to open up… When we possibly wouldn’t have done.”
Supporting Others
BRAVE Too Reunions “support the men and the new groups of men that are coming through. And actually that’s quite a positive, uplifting experience to help other people.”
Tools for Resilience
“It’s a source of insight into lots of different strategies that benefit.”
More Things Men Like About BRAVE Too
"Everybody could speak what they want and had the time to express themselves."
"I can see that I'm about to catastrophize and I now have the tools to be able to make a different decision and cope a bit better."
"To learn the simplest things have the simplest answer, has been the biggest inspiration."
"The Reunions are a fantastic opportunity to meet the people I’ve gone through this with and remember some of the tools. It's a space I feel supported."
"I think it's not just a tool for our twelve weeks, I think it's a tool for a lifetime."
We liaise with partner agencies to obtain referrals
We can also signpost to other sources of support
Referrals to BRAVE Too
If you have experienced domestic abuse in the past and you would benefit from some support for how you are feeling, then please ask your support service to refer you. BRAVE Too accepts referrals from a wide range of services across Berkshire, including:
- Hestia
- Talking Therapies
- Cranstoun
- The Domestic Abuse Stops Here (DASH) Charity
- Victims First
Ask your support worker, social worker, or mental health professional to make a referral or contact BRAVE by emailing us at bravetoo@berkshire.nhs.uk to discuss whether the service could be helpful for you. You can also download the referral form by clicking here and send it to the BRAVE email address.
If you are making a referral, please note that the man you’re referring must be registered with a GP in Berkshire, living safely away from the abuser, and not currently engaging in other forms of therapy.
BRAVE Too is commissioned by the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner with MoJ funding.
Raising Awareness
BRAVE and BRAVE Too group members have been working with Thames Valley Police to raise awareness about domestic abuse. People who have experienced domestic abuse often feel unheard; our groups are designed to be empowering and strengths-based, offering the opportunity to be heard and to help others listen. This can involve informing professionals about the realities of domestic abuse, growing the service by co-producing special promotional events, and inspiring others by sharing your story if you feel comfortable to do so. Whatever your preference, the BRAVE community will always offer opportunities to co-produce a kinder future.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you live in Berkshire, BRAVE Too operates in your area. If you live outside Berkshire then please don’t worry: other support is available for you. Please see the FAQs below for more information.
Sometimes it can be hard to know whether you are experiencing domestic abuse. If you think you may be in an abusive relationship, please speak to your healthcare professional for further information and advice.
Domestic abuse can have a severe impact on mental health and people can find it difficult to access the support they need, but support is available for everyone who has experienced domestic abuse.
Even if you are not eligible for support from BRAVE or BRAVE Too, there is still help available for you. Please see the following question for more details.
If you don’t meet the criteria for our service, please don’t worry. There is still help available for you out there and you are not alone! The following agencies may be able to help:
- Hestia provides support for those experiencing domestic abuse, modern slavery and mental health needs. In Slough, you can contact them on 01753 477352 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm), or visit www.hestia.org/slough
- The National Domestic Abuse Helpline provides nationwide support for women affected by domestic abuse. They are available 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247 or at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
- The Men’s Advice Line offers support specifically for men affected by domestic abuse. You can contact them on 0808 801 0327 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and until 8pm Mon and Wed), or visit www.mensadviceline.org.uk
- For advice for male and female perpetrators of domestic abuse looking to stop, or for victims and friends/family looking for information or help for a perpetrator, or frontline workers working with perpetrators, you can contact the Respect Phoneline on 0808 8024040 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm), or learn more at www.respectphoneline.org.uk
- The Dash (Domestic Abuse Stops Here) Charity provides support for women, children and men experiencing any kind of abuse from partners, ex-partners or family members, living in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. You can contact them on 01753 549865 (Mon-Wed 9.30am – 2.30pm Thurs-Fri 9.30am – 4.30pm), or visit www.thedashcharity.org.uk
Berkshire Women’s Aid (BWA) provides support for women and men affected by domestic abuse, living in Bracknell Forest. You can contact them on 0118 950 4003 (24 hours), or visit www.berkshirewomensaid.org.uk
Absolutely! The BRAVE programme has recently created a special YouTube channel which contains a variety of mindfulness and meditation practices that you may find useful. To access the channel, please click this link.
BRAVE is the original service for women; BRAVE Too is our new service for men who have experienced domestic abuse.
Yes! Please let us know when we talk to you to make sure that we meet your needs.
The BRAVE / BRAVE Too 12 week programme is where everyone starts. To get the most out of the programme we ask that group members attend each session. The groups run term time with a week off over half-term. BRAVE EMBRACE / BRAVE Too Reunion is the group for graduates of the 12 week programme. Some people come to every session and some just attend when they feel they need some support – all are always welcome.