A motivational speaker who has lived through domestic abuse has launched a £3,500 crowdfunding campaign in a bid to host events to help others.
Taz Thornton ran a pilot workshop in Spalding in September in association with Lincolnshire County Council for people who had escaped abusive relationships and is now keen to do more.
The 42-year-old, of Cowbit, said it all began when she recorded a video about her own experiences which gained thousands of views online.
She said: “So many people have shared that video and I still get messages from people saying it has changed their lives.
“It was seen by Lincolnshire County Council’s domestic abuse manager and she asked if we could do something together.”
Taz adapted her #UnleashYourAwesome programme to create a day-long workshop including group sharing, mindfulness and empowerment techniques.
She said: “The results were amazing. One lady went from agoraphobic to shopping trips and days out with her kids almost overnight. She credits the event with moving her out of suicidal thoughts.
“It saved her life and her kids got their mum back. Now, with the backing of LCC’s domestic abuse department, we want to do more.
“Resources are thin on the ground at authority level, so I’m hoping individuals and businesses who understand how important it is to get ‘survivors’ properly back into society will dig deep and help raise the £3,500 needed to properly run and promote three more events across the county.”
She added: “For a relatively small amount of cash we can create something that moves people from a sense of hopelessness to hopeful.”
Taz has launched a crowdfunding page, which carries a comment from the county’s domestic abuse manager, Karen Shooter.
She says: “We have some great services to help people out of those relationships and on the road to recovery. But I believe we don’t always go far enough with those who need extra support, not just to cope but to thrive.
“Taz’s pilot event proved how much this exciting, positive and motivational course can help people to move on with their lives in a way they had not previously thought possible. Please help us continue what we’ve started in Lincolnshire.”
To get involved visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tazthornton
For domestic abuse support see www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/domestic-abuse
