Driving Change is a domestic abuse programme for men who recognise that they have been violent and/or abusive in their relationships. Our aim is to support the safety and wellbeing of everyone concerned, whilst enabling you to achieve loving, responsible and fulfilling non-abusive relationships with current, future or previous partners as well as with your children.

Who is Driving Change For?

To be suitable for the programme, you would need to be:

• 18 years of age or over.
• Reside in  Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff or Bridgend.
• Recognise that your behaviour in intimate relationships is abusive and/or violent and want to change this.
• Be willing and able to commit to and engage in the personal work needed and to have regular attendance at the programme.

Ultimately, if you feel you are behaving in a violence or abusive way in your intimate and family relationships and wish to change this, then this may be the right programme for you. The Driving Change fundamental principle is that we are 100% responsible for our own behaviour, regardless of how others behave towards us. Acknowledging this is the most helpful and empowering way for anyone to make any desired changes to their behaviour.

If you are unsure whether Driving Change is for you, we would encourage you to get in touch and speak to a member of the team.

What actually happens on the programme?

Initially, you’ll be asked to take part in some assessment sessions to make sure that this is definitely the right programme for you. If we feel it is right for you and you accept a place on the programme, you will then be asked to complete 6-8 one-to-one sessions, before joining the group. All of our clients will be expected to attend a minimum of 26 group sessions, which take place on a weekly basis.

Driving Change Partner Support Service

Driving Change offers a support service for the current and ex-partners of anyone who is participating in the programme. If you wish to participate in Driving Change, you will need to provide us with the contact details of your current and any previous partner(s) you have recently separated from. You will also need to provide us with the contact details of any ex-partner with whom you have children. This also applies to any relationships you enter into whilst on the programme. Providing us with these details is a requirement to participate in the programme, so that our partner support service can contact them and offer any information, support or ongoing work that they need.

If you are interested in referring yourself to Driving Change, please email info@smt.org.uk or ring 07506719697 and ask to speak to a member of SMT’s Driving Change team.