The Benefits of Blogging for Survivors
Tracks
Ballroom One
| Wednesday, December 1, 2021 |
| 3:52 PM - 4:12 PM |
Overview
Ms Kate Crowley-Smith, Broken to Brilliant
Speaker
Ms Kate Crowley-Smith
Founding Director
Broken To Brilliant
The Benefits of Blogging for Survivors
Abstract
Background
Broken to Brilliant supports the long-term recovery of domestic abuse (DA) survivors through a lived experience and 'pay it forward' model to create a process of mutual rehabilitation (1).
Broken to Brilliant developed a creative writing capacity-building program called Blogging GEMS designed to run through COVID19, delivered via Zoom. Enabling participants to safely connect and be supported to practice the GEMS model of evidence-based self-care strategies including Gratitude, Exercise, Mindfulness Yoga, Service and Support.
Aim
The Blogging GEMS program aims to improve survivors' knowledge and use of self-care strategies. To enhance survivors feeling of empowerment and improve their overall sense of wellbeing. The program will improve the participants writing skills in the genre of blogging. Published blogs will inspire fellow survivors to select and practice self-care strategies.
Method
The Charity recruited 8 DA survivors to participate in the 8 zoom-sessions covering the self-care strategies of the GEMS model. Participants were educated on technical blog writing and each of the self-care strategy. A buddy system was established for peer support. Participants were encouraged to practice each self-care strategy and to write about the reality of their experiences with each self-care strategy (2). Each participant received tailored writing coaching. Blogs are published on the Broken to Brilliant website.
Results
An overview of the Blogging GEMS program, qualitative and quantitative results from pre and post-surveys measuring participant’s wellbeing, empowerment and writing. The participants' challenges and benefits of practising self-care strategies will be discussed. These results can be used by health professionals and services that support DA survivors as a guide to helping their clients rebuild their lives.
Conclusion
The Blogging GEMS program provides connection for DA survivors during a pandemic. Participants enjoyed the program, improved their writing skills, shared their reality of practicing selfcare strategies. Pre and post surveys results will be presented.
Broken to Brilliant supports the long-term recovery of domestic abuse (DA) survivors through a lived experience and 'pay it forward' model to create a process of mutual rehabilitation (1).
Broken to Brilliant developed a creative writing capacity-building program called Blogging GEMS designed to run through COVID19, delivered via Zoom. Enabling participants to safely connect and be supported to practice the GEMS model of evidence-based self-care strategies including Gratitude, Exercise, Mindfulness Yoga, Service and Support.
Aim
The Blogging GEMS program aims to improve survivors' knowledge and use of self-care strategies. To enhance survivors feeling of empowerment and improve their overall sense of wellbeing. The program will improve the participants writing skills in the genre of blogging. Published blogs will inspire fellow survivors to select and practice self-care strategies.
Method
The Charity recruited 8 DA survivors to participate in the 8 zoom-sessions covering the self-care strategies of the GEMS model. Participants were educated on technical blog writing and each of the self-care strategy. A buddy system was established for peer support. Participants were encouraged to practice each self-care strategy and to write about the reality of their experiences with each self-care strategy (2). Each participant received tailored writing coaching. Blogs are published on the Broken to Brilliant website.
Results
An overview of the Blogging GEMS program, qualitative and quantitative results from pre and post-surveys measuring participant’s wellbeing, empowerment and writing. The participants' challenges and benefits of practising self-care strategies will be discussed. These results can be used by health professionals and services that support DA survivors as a guide to helping their clients rebuild their lives.
Conclusion
The Blogging GEMS program provides connection for DA survivors during a pandemic. Participants enjoyed the program, improved their writing skills, shared their reality of practicing selfcare strategies. Pre and post surveys results will be presented.
Biography
Kate Crowley Smith is the Founding Director of Broken to Brilliant, a Charity whose mission is domestic violence survivors mentoring survivors who are creating a new chapter in their life.
Kate is also a mother of two grown children, a domestic violence survivor, with a professional background in Nursing and Health Promotion. Her work portfolios are patient safety and quality and injury prevention. Kate has a post graduate certificate in domestic and family violence responses. Kate believes in lifelong learning and is driven to address unmet needs in our community.
