Hi everyone,

I am writing to ask for your advice and input on some exciting developments we are exploring for Saffron.

As you know, we currently provide long-term therapy and wellbeing sessions. We would now like to work towards offering more support throughout each person’s therapy journey. This could include support for women on our waiting list, support alongside therapy, and support after therapy has finished.

These ideas have come from a combination of reviewing notes from Saffron Forge meetings and conversations with our therapist team.

At this stage, nothing is set in stone, and all of these ideas would require some level of funding. You might be wondering why we wouldn’t instead invest that funding directly into therapy to reduce the waiting list. I want to reassure you that these ideas are not intended to replace therapy, but to complement it. With relatively small amounts of funding, we believe we could support more women overall — including those waiting for therapy and those needing support after it ends.

It’s also important to say that there are some funding opportunities that are not available for therapy itself but can be used for wider support like groups, courses, or peer support. This means developing these ideas could bring additional resources into Saffron that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to access.

As you read through these ideas, you might think of something different or better — if so, please do share it. There will be space on the feedback form for your ideas. If you would prefer to talk something through, I would really welcome that too. You can let me know on the form whether you’d prefer to chat within Saffron Forge, by phone, online, or face to face.

Below are the ideas we would love your thoughts on:

Pre-therapy support groups (for those on the waiting list)
We are considering offering a 12-week, face-to-face group for women waiting for therapy. This could focus on understanding trauma, grounding techniques, building confidence, managing emotions, and preparing for therapy. The aim is to provide earlier support, reduce isolation, and help women feel more ready when therapy begins.
Online self-help course (for those on the waiting list)
We are also exploring a 12-week online course that women could access from home. Each week would include a short video or presentation on topics such as trauma, coping strategies, and emotional regulation, alongside optional exercises and resources. This would allow women to access support straight away, even if they are unable to attend a group.
Link Worker support (alongside therapy)
We know that practical challenges such as housing, finances, or health can sometimes take over therapy sessions. A Link Worker could support women with these issues during therapy — for example, helping them access services, attend appointments, or navigate systems. The aim is to reduce these pressures so therapy can focus more fully on healing.
Social and peer support after therapy
After therapy ends, some women may feel isolated or unsure about what comes next. We are considering offering a weekly social group with activities such as creative or wellbeing sessions, alongside trained peer mentors who can support women to connect with their communities. This would not replace Saffron Forge but could act as a stepping stone towards it.

Please complete this survey where you can share your thoughts on these ideas, as well as suggest anything we may not have considered. I would really appreciate you taking the time to complete this.

Thank you so much for your time and support.

Best wishes,
Sian

Sian Jones

CEO