2 December 2025 – Last week, NIDAS welcomed professionals, families and community partners to Ashfield Rugby Club for a heartfelt and inspiring gathering to officially launch the NIDAS Lottery and introduce their expanded trauma-informed therapeutic services. The event brought together people who share one common purpose: supporting women, children and young adults affected by domestic abuse.

From the moment guests arrived, the room carried a sense of warmth, curiosity and genuine care. Stalls were set up by the NIDAS team showcasing the methods, activities and approaches they use every day to help families rebuild safety, confidence and hope. It created the perfect setting for meaningful conversations and new connections.

A Mission That Matters: The Heart of NIDAS

For more than two decades, NIDAS has supported survivors of domestic abuse across Nottinghamshire, offering specialist services designed to empower families, break cycles of harm and create safer futures. Their work is grounded in compassion, confidentiality and a strong belief that every person deserves to feel safe and valued.

The organisation’s purpose remains as vital as ever. Despite progress, domestic abuse continues to impact thousands of people each year. NIDAS stands as a lifeline—offering practical help, emotional support and therapeutic recovery so survivors can rebuild their lives with dignity and strength.

Opening the Event: Words That Resonated

The event began with a powerful and moving speech from CEO Rukhsana Ismail. She spoke openly about the painful reality that, even in 2025, too many women and children remain unsafe in their own homes. Her words carried a quiet strength as she reminded the room why organisations like NIDAS must continue to push for change.

She expressed pride in the community for showing up—professionals, charities, families and individuals all standing together in solidarity. Her message was clear: when a community unites, real change becomes possible.

Following her, Martin, Chair of Trustees, shared reflections on the vision that drives NIDAS forward. He highlighted the organisation’s long-term commitment to expanding trauma-informed practice, building partnerships and ensuring that every service user receives support tailored to their needs. His message reinforced the importance of collaboration and hope.

Understanding Trauma Through Creative Support

One of the morning’s most insightful moments came from Jo, an Art Therapist who has been part of NIDAS since 2023. She spoke passionately about how art therapy gives children and young adults a safe space to express feelings that are often too complex or overwhelming for words. With her calm, grounded energy, Jo helped attendees understand the depth and sensitivity involved in trauma-informed therapeutic work. Her explanation offered a meaningful glimpse into how creativity can support healing.

A Survivor’s Voice That Touched Everyone

Donna then read a moving piece written by a survivor who worked closely with NIDAS. Her story was one of bravery, recovery and finding strength again—a reminder of why these services exist and why they must continue. Her words filled the room with emotion, and many attendees expressed how deeply the story resonated with them.

This moment grounded the event in lived experience. It reminded everyone that behind every service, every programme and every funding effort, there are real people rebuilding their lives.

Showcasing Our Support: Highlights From the Therapeutic Services Stalls

As part of the event, NIDAS hosted a range of service stalls to help attendees better understand the specialist support we offer for children, young people and adults affected by domestic abuse. Each stall gave a glimpse into the trauma-informed approaches our practitioners use every day to help families rebuild safety, confidence and emotional well-being.

Young People’s Therapeutic Wellbeing Service

Supporting young people aged 12 to 25, this service offers emotional and practical support, advocacy, safety planning and awareness around healthy relationships. It focuses on confidence building, coping strategies and helping young people understand and manage their emotions.

Children’s Therapeutic Wellbeing Service

Designed for children aged 5 to 11, this service helps little ones explore emotions, develop healthy behaviours, manage anger and worries and stay safe. It includes group programmes and drawing and talking therapy to support early emotional development.

Art Psychotherapy

A creative therapeutic approach for anyone aged 5 and above. Art Psychotherapy uses artmaking to express thoughts and feelings that can be hard to put into words. It supports trauma, attachment, loss, identity and mental health through one-to-one, group or parent-child sessions.

OPVA Therapeutic Wellbeing Service

This service supports older women affected by domestic abuse through holistic emotional support, safety planning, advocacy and wellbeing interventions. It promotes recovery, independence and confidence while addressing specific risks and challenges faced by older survivors.

Recovering Together

A therapeutic programme for women, focusing on understanding the impact of domestic abuse on themselves, their relationships and their family dynamics. The service combines practical, emotional and therapeutic guidance to support healing and growth.

Humanistic Counselling and Psychotherapy

A client-led talking therapy supporting self-awareness, emotional expression and personal growth. It helps individuals explore relationships, anxiety, emotions, behaviour and life experiences without judgement or advice, guiding them towards their own solutions and strengths.

Connecting, Sharing and Building Stronger Support Together

Over tea, coffee and refreshments, the room buzzed with conversation. Professionals exchanged ideas about how to work together more closely. Families shared their journeys and asked thoughtful questions. Organisations discussed ways to strengthen referral pathways and make support even more accessible.

What stood out most was the sense of togetherness. People weren’t just networking—they were imagining solutions, offering help and exploring how they could collectively support survivors in Nottinghamshire. Events like this underline how community relationships multiply impact far beyond the walls of any single organisation.

 

What Attendees Told Us: Event Feedback Highlights

The feedback shared by guests throughout the day was incredibly heartwarming and reaffirmed why events like this matter so much. Many attendees spoke about how insightful it was to hear directly from the CEO about her journey from volunteer to leader, noting how inspiring this was—particularly for volunteers in the room who saw a reflection of their own potential.

A number of professionals shared how meaningful it was to hear genuine client feedback, as it helped them understand the real impact NIDAS services have on the lives of survivors. Several commented that meeting our team face-to-face filled them with confidence and trust, reassuring them that the families they refer will always be met with compassion and expertise.

The Art Therapy stall was particularly popular, with guests noting how engaging the materials were and how enjoyable it would have been to explore them practically. Many appreciated the creative “hands” feedback activity, saying it felt far more personal than a formal feedback form and encouraged open reflection.

Guests celebrating the launch of the OPVA service said they were excited to see dedicated support for older women, highlighting how valuable it will be for carers and families they work with. Many organisations expressed how motivated they felt after hearing about the passion and commitment of the NIDAS staff, saying the event felt informative, thought-provoking and full of heart.

Networking was another strong theme in the feedback. Attendees said it was wonderful to connect with so many agencies in one place and that the information shared will be invaluable for supporting families in crisis. Many told us they left feeling uplifted, better informed and eager to see how NIDAS continues to grow in the coming years.

Across all the comments, the message was clear: the event was warm, welcoming and deeply impactful—filled with passionate staff, meaningful conversations and a shared commitment to helping survivors of domestic abuse rebuild safer, brighter futures.

Looking Ahead: A Future Built on Compassion and Commitment

The event was more than a launch—it was a celebration of the resilience of survivors, the dedication of staff and the power of collective action. It reminded everyone why NIDAS continues to fight for safer homes, stronger support networks and a community where families can heal without fear.

NIDAS looks forward to continuing this work, expanding their trauma-informed practice and hosting more events that bring people together for meaningful dialogue and shared purpose.

To everyone who attended, showed interest or supported the event in any way—thank you. Your presence and commitment help create a safer, kinder Nottinghamshire for all.