Surviving Abuse – the road to recovery and thriving

The trauma experience as a result of adverse childhood experiences can leave a lasting impact on an individual’s mental and physical heath.  We know that childhood abuse in all its guises leaves deep wounds, feelings of shame, and unsupportive behaviours that block happiness, steal your joy, health and wellbeing.

With at least one in four people having experienced some kind of childhood abuse, it is likely that some of your friends, colleagues or close family are survivors. Often not declared or shared due to fear of stigmatisation and discrimination, survivors may have a combination of issues such as low self-esteem, low self-worth, depression, and or anxiety all of which will have an impact on their confidence, creativity, capacity and potential.

Many survivors have coping strategies which at best are unhealthy and at worst destructive. These may include but are not limited to: self medicating through food, drugs and or alcohol; having poor boundaries and trust issues which may result in relationship difficulties; overworking or keeping busy to stay in the present so that they do not have to think and feel. 

Each survivor’s experience is different impacting them in different ways; as a result their needs and their recovery journey will be unique to them too.

Founded five years ago the charity, Survivors of aBuse (S.O.B) (Reg. No: 1166712) supports adult survivors with resources and tools to help them with their recovery and to empower them to lead a happier and more fulfilled life. S.O.B was founded by Chris Tuck, herself a survivor. Following a break down after the birth of her first child and her subsequent road to recovery Chris has dedicated herself to helping others.

At the heart of what S.O.B provides is a powerful, effective, holistic programme designed to empower survivors. This is currently the only UK trauma-informed programme of its kind based on mindset, nutrition, fitness and stress management, developed specifically to meet the needs of survivors. The charity relies on fund-raising and donations to provide this life-changing programme free of charge to survivors. 

C.L.E.A.N.E.R™ Living Therapy programme

S.O.B’s Breaking The Cycle™ C.L.E.A.N.E.R™ Living Therapy programme is unique and it takes a holistic approach in empowering survivors to recover from their traumatic lived experiences from all forms of abuse. The programme works; it’s highly effective and life-changing. Over the course of eight ½ day sessions that run weekly participants learn and take away many practical tools and techniques that they can use in their everyday lives. This self-empowerment programme has been created so that survivors can take back some power and control over their life, and improve their mental, emotional and physical health through: 

• a change in their mind-set
• awareness and education
• nutrition 
• fitness 
• de-stressing your body

This course is based on the SOB book and is designed to empower survivors by making simple lifestyle changes one step at a time. The steps are all ways of helping them to cope with their feelings, process their emotions and rebuild their life after childhood abuse and trauma.

By starting to make some changes in their mind-set, habits, and behaviours, they can start to think, feel and take actions that are going to build and strengthen their overall wellbeing and resilience.

Survivors deserve to feel 100% healthy and 100% happy and to live their life to their full potential.

During the programme survivors benefit from being in a safe place where they can be themselves and are with others who understand them. For many, it is a huge relief to feel this sense of community and to have this level of support. For many it’s the springboard to regaining control of their lives.

Mindset: Acknowledging and safely processing your trauma (within the boundaries & context of the course), to be able to set goals for a positive future.

Nutrition: Exploring optimal nutrition to support our recovery from adverse childhood experiences.

Fitness: Exploring the role of exercise and the posture we adopt in our recovery and how this makes us feel.

Stress Management: Understanding and controlling chronic stress and how it impacts us on a daily basis.

Individuals who would like to register their interest in the course can do so via our website www.survivorsofabuse.org.uk or they can purchase the book from our shop on the website.

There are 7 Pillars to the Breaking the Cycle™ C.L.E.A.N.E.R.™ Living Therapy programme which form the foundations of your overall wellness. The pillars are related and connected to each other.

The first letter of each of the pillars is what C.L.E.A.N.E.R™ stands for:

Pillar 1 – Clear and Conscious Mindset

Pillar 2 – Lifestyle Choices

Pillar 3 – Endocrine System

Pillar 4 – Alignment

Pillar 5 – Nutrition

Pillar 6 – Exercise

Pillar 7 – Rest and Regeneration 

It is important that you think about your mind and body as one entity rather than separate entities.  All of the systems in your body are connected. Making a change in one area will have a ripple effect in other areas. For example, around 80% of your immune system is in your gut so improving your gut function will improve your immunity.  

Even small changes can make a big difference. You can make a significant change to your health, wellness, and happiness by taking one of the smaller steps of one pillar, and then building on that first step at a pace that suits you.