Emma Chandler The first episode of the Economic Justice Monitor ’s new podcast, hosted by Nicola Sharps-Jeffs, delivers a powerful and deeply necessary conversation about the intersection of fraud and domestic abuse. Featuring Own My Life Queeeeen (she is our Business Development Consultant), Emma Chandler, alongside Sam Beckinsale, the episode (available HERE ) challenges the way systems currently understand, and often misunderstand, how abusers financially harm their part

We are delighted to see the new Before and Beyond report from Davina James-Hanman and Yasmin Rehman, which sought the expertise of campaign group Killed Women and others in the Violence Against Women and Girls Sector at roundtable events.  The report considers how to make the biggest difference to women lives and brings together their combined eighty years’ experience of responding to men’s violence towards women and girls.   After benefitting from strong government investing

Look at all our participants' joyous faces! Whew! It was another joyous Own My Life training week. And what glorious comments from participants! Very informative and life changing. 🤓 It was one of the best online training I've been on.🥇 It has revolutionised the way in which I am going to support women. Ripped up the rule book. ✊🏽 Single most important training I've done, not just as a practitioner but as a human being and citizen of the world. 🌍 We already have great fee

We are excited to introduce you to our * new * Development Lead for Northern Ireland, Victoria Gordon. We sat down with her to find out more about her passion and brilliance. Victoria's face! Tell us a bit about yourself… I’m Northern Ireland born and bred - and yes, the fair skin gives it away! I’m a total people person and love nothing more than a good belly laugh and genuine connection. I’m a mum to three amazing girls and married to my husband Ric. Family life is always a

Our CEO Natalie Collins reflects on being ill recently. I lost my voice this week.   It started with a sore throat, a mild flu-like thing.  I persevered through meetings.   ‘I’m not over exerting myself, I’m just sat at a desk.’   Reader, I was over exerting myself. Apparently.   My voice gave up.  I’ve been almost totally silent since Thursday evening. It’s now Monday morning.   For awhile I have been reflecting on how physical ill health can mimic the felt experience of tra

Part of Baroness Hyde's speech We were deeply honoured to hear  Own My Life  featured in the maiden speech of Baroness Sara Hyde in the House of Lords for International Women’s Day 2026. In her speech, Baroness Hyde celebrated the work of women making a difference; firstly Karolina Bober and Catherine Bridie’s pioneering work in the London Borough of Islington to make women safer and we were incredibly proud that she also chose to highlight the work of Own My Life. She spoke

Our CEO Natalie reflects on her visit to London this week.   Today I met Larry the Cat in 10 Downing Street.   Never in my life did I imagine that I would type those words!  But here we are!   The Northern contingent of the meeting! Courtesy of the brilliant Agenda Alliance , of which Own My Life is a member, I was part of a badass contingent of women from across England discussion with Jess Phillips and civil servants how to get more women into positions of power.   I didn’t

We are delighted to be running an important free online event on 27 April 2026, 1pm - 3pm (BST): Survival, Not Disorder: Applying the Power Threat Meaning Framework to Women’s Survival of Men’s Domestic Abuse . This event brings together experts in trauma, men's violence, and psychology; including Professor Mary Boyle , co-author of the Power Threat Meaning Framework, Natalie Collins , founder of Own My Life, Jan Bostock , Power Threat Meaning Framework working group member,

What a marvellous training we finished last week! And what amazing feedback from the participants... 🏆 "The most amazing course out there!" 🏆 🚺 "Own My Life is a must have for every woman and girl." 🚺 💡 "The training has left me really inspired and curious to learn more." 💡 🤩 "The best training I have attended, up to date, informative and joyful." 🤩 ❤️‍🔥 "Incredible course. Uplifting but really honest and pragmatic. Full of joy." ❤️‍🔥 🧦 "Commit & clear your diary.

Our CEO Natalie reflects on the last week since Lover Liar Predator, the documentary she is in with Jenni, Shannon and Robyn, was released. What a week! Lover Liar Predator arrived on TVs across the land this week, and each day has been a whirlwind of comments, emails, direct messages and magnificent film reviews.   “The best thing on TV.” The Express   “Forget Adolescence...this film should be shown in every school.”   “A powerful indictment.” The Herald   “Enraging and ins

Tonight (Sunday 1st) at 9pm on BBC Scotland and iPlayer , and tomorrow (Monday 2nd) at 9pm on BBC Two , the documentary Lover, Liar, Predator will be broadcast to audiences across the UK. It’s a powerful and emotional film; one that sheds light on manipulation, coercive control and abuse, but also on hope, healing and the possibility of transformation. We know that many of you are watching alone, with friends, or as part of watch parties and group discussions, and we’ve been

On  1st February , a new BBC documentary will be released on iPlayer:   LOVER LIAR PREDATOR   This extraordinary film tells the story of four courageous women  — all harmed by the same dangerous man — who refuse to stay silent. Together, they join forces to hold him to account, take him to trial, and ultimately bring him to justice.   At the heart of this documentary are the women’s voices, their truth, and their strength. And we are incredibly proud to share that Own My Life

Training participants! It was a BEAUTIFUL facilitator training event last week (look at those SMILES!). Women joining us from all four UK nations; women's centre staff, IDVAs, police officers, addiction specialists, early help workers, a health visitor team, those supporting women who were sexually abused as children and domestic abuse outreach and refuge staff. WHEW! Each woman will take the Own My Life sisterhood back to their work and lives. What a magnificent movement to

As part of our girls course project, Hannah Gardner writes about becoming our freelance co-trainer! We shared the news about securing funding for that HERE . We introduced Hannah Shead, our new project manager for the course HERE . When I heard the news that Own My Life was rolling out a pilot for a girls’ course, I was over the moon. And I remember thinking, ‘God I wish this course existed when I was in school’. School is an insane time in life. It’s been 10 years since I le

We are incredibly grateful to Amazon for making a generous £12,000 donation to support Own My Life’s work resourcing police forces across the UK. This funding will help us better serve female officers and staff who have been subjected to abuse by a partner or ex-partner; an area where specialist, sensitive support is urgently needed. As we have previously shared HERE , women working within policing face unique and often complex barriers when seeking help due to their partner

Hannah Shead writes about joining the Own My Life as we develop a girls course! We shared the news about securing funding for that HERE . Hannah Shead writes about becoming part of the Team Own My Life ✊🏼 I first heard about Own My life in 2023, when I was CEO of a women’s charity. One of my Trustees (the fabulous Sarah Dangar) met Natalie somewhat randomly at the baggage carousel in London Heathrow airport…they had both just been to the European conference on Domestic Viol

The Naked Empress of VAWG Policy The government is not going to halve violence against women and girls.   This pledge and now strategy document from Labour should be splashed across a London bus to supercede its predecessor-in-made-up-claims;  Brexit providing £350m more per week to the NHS.     Labour’s commimtent to halve something they’ve struggled to even measure , relies on an unachievable utopian vision that has yet to be realised even in Iceland, that most feminist of

Our podcast host and producer, Abi Thomas shares her reflections on our upcoming Own My Life podcast: “It is like having been in a cage, and coming out into the world. There’s just so much life on the other side.”  Naomi “He convinced us that I would be nothing without him, that I’d be a prostitute, I would have nothing, I wouldn’t be able to live without him, but I’m doing amazing actually!”  Lorna Abi, with Preston puppy dog There are some sentences that send a tingle down

Natalie Collins, our CEO, writes on the new government campaign I like to think that I’m quite a robust person. For fifteen years, and across three decades, I’ve worked with women who’ve been subjected to abuse by men. Prior to that, as a teenager and young adult, I endured over four years of being raped and abused by a man who has now been deemed so dangerous that he is indefinitely in prison.   The women I work with are badass and brilliant, as are all the women who my ex-h

As we approach the festive season, we’re thrilled to share some exciting news. Many of you have been asking, and we can finally reveal: the Own My Life podcast will launch on 1st January . A new year, new goals, and a brand-new podcast designed to support, inform, and uplift you as we step into 2026 together. Christmas: A Time of Joy, but Also of Hidden Struggle While Christmas is often portrayed as a time of warmth, connection, and celebration, we know that for many women li