SUPPORT US

Support True Butterflies Foundation and you can make a real difference to those affected by domestic abuse. Together, we have helped people to see significant improvements in their lives.

Trust was rebuilt with children who had learned not to trust professionals.
Children found their voices after being silenced through abuse and fear.
Education and future opportunities were restored.
Health improved as trauma responses reduced.
Parents were supported alongside children, recognising that recovery happens within families.
Court involvement became possible because the children felt safe and believed they would be supported.

Service Model: How individuals and Families Move Through Support

At True Butterflies, our service model is based on a person-centred, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approach. We recognise that every individual and family affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence has a unique experience, and therefore support is not a fixed pathway. Families are supported to move through our services at their own pace, accessing what is meaningful and relevant to their individual needs.

Accessing Support

Families can access True Butterflies through self-referral, professional referrals, or through other agencies. The first stage is about building trust, listening, and understanding each person/ family’s circumstances. We recognise that many people we support may have experienced fear, control, and a loss of choice, so we ensure they remain at the centre of decisions about their support.

Understanding Needs – A Personalised Support Journey

When families engage with us, we work alongside them to identify what support feels right for them. We consider emotional wellbeing, trauma responses, relationships, parenting, education, confidence, safety, and practical needs.

There is no pressure to engage in a specific way; individuals can choose the level and type of support they need.

Targeted Support – Building Recovery and Resilience

Families may access a range of services including:

Metamorphosis Programme – Offering a specialised AP provision for children affected by abuse. supporting children with education to rebuild confidence, develop resilience, reconnect with themselves and small groups, and move forward beyond abuse.
Empowering Parents – supporting parents and carers to understand the impact of trauma, strengthen relationships, and rebuild confidence in their parenting.
One-to-one mentoring and emotional support through therapy
Trauma-informed therapy and wellbeing interventions.
Group workshops and peer connection.
Family support and support for children affected by domestic abuse.
Signposting support where additional services are needed.

As families build trust and confidence, support adapts to their changing needs. Some may require short-term intervention, while others may need longer-term support. We celebrate progress that is meaningful to each individual, whether that is improved emotional regulation, returning to education, rebuilding relationships, speaking about their experiences, or developing independence.

Ongoing Support and Empowerment

Our aim is not to create dependency but to support people to regain control, confidence, and choice. Families leave True Butterflies with increased resilience, stronger voices, and a greater belief in their own ability to shape their future.

Through lived experience, compassion, and professional expertise, we walk alongside families for as long as support is needed, helping them move from crisis and trauma towards recovery, empowerment, and hope.

Referral Criteria

At True Butterflies, we aim to provide safe, appropriate, and effective support for individuals and families affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence. Our referral criteria ensure that the people accessing our services receive support that matches their needs, while maintaining clear boundaries around the purpose and scope of our programmes.

Who We Support

Referrals are accepted for:

Individuals and families affected by domestic abuse and/or sexual violence.
Adults, young people, and children who have experienced or been impacted by abuse.
Parents and carers who require support to understand and respond to the impact of trauma on themselves and their children.
Individuals who are seeking emotional support, recovery-focused intervention, confidence building, and help moving forward after abuse.
People living in Cornwall and the surrounding areas, including some areas of Devon.

Referral Pathways

Referrals can be made through:

Self-referral.
Family members or trusted individuals.
Schools, health professionals, social care, police, and other agencies.
Community organisations and support services.

All referrals are considered individually to ensure the service is appropriate and safe.

Our Boundaries

True Butterflies provides recovery-focused, trauma-informed support.

We are not:

An emergency crisis response service.
A replacement for statutory services such as social care, emergency mental health services, or emergency accommodation providers.
A specialist medical or psychiatric service.
Able to provide immediate crisis intervention where there is an immediate risk of harm.

Where urgent safeguarding concerns, immediate risk, or specialist needs are identified, we will work with the individual and relevant agencies to ensure appropriate support is accessed.

Suitability and Engagement

We understand that trauma can affect communication, trust, and engagement. We therefore do not expect people to be “ready” or able to engage in a traditional way when they first come to us. We work at the pace of the individual and focus on building safety and trust.

However, support must be based on mutual respect, safety, and willingness to engage. We may review suitability if a person’s needs fall outside the purpose of the service or if additional support is required.

Safeguarding

The safety and wellbeing of those we support is our priority. All referrals are managed in line with our safeguarding procedures, confidentiality policies, and risk management processes.

Our aim is to provide a safe, empowering space where survivors and families can access the right support, at the right time, in a way that respects their choices and individual journey.

Governance Information

True Butterflies is committed to strong, transparent, and effective governance to ensure that our services are delivered safely, responsibly, and in line with our values. Our governance structure supports accountability, quality improvement, safeguarding, and the long-term sustainability of the organisation.

Our organisation is led by our Executive Director, Angela Lowe, who founded True Butterflies in 2018 following her own lived experience of domestic abuse. Angela provides strategic leadership, ensuring that lived experience remains central to our vision, decision-making, and service development.

True Butterflies operates with a survivor-led approach, ensuring that the voices and experiences of those we support inform our services, policies, and future direction. We recognise that good governance requires both lived experience and professional expertise, and we combine these perspectives to strengthen our decision-making.

Leadership and Oversight

Our leadership team is responsible for:

Strategic planning and organisational development.
Ensuring services meet the needs of survivors and families.
Supporting staff wellbeing and professional development.

Policies and Procedures

True Butterflies has robust policies and procedures in place, including:

These are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain effective and reflect current guidance and the needs of the communities we support.

Quality and Accountability

We actively monitor the impact of our work through:

The people we support are central to our development, and their experiences help shape how we improve and adapt our services.

Workforce Development

Our team consists of staff and volunteers who bring a combination of lived experience and professional expertise. We invest in training, supervision, reflective practice, and wellbeing support to ensure our workforce is equipped to provide safe, trauma-informed, and compassionate support.

Safeguarding children and adults.
Health and safety.
Equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Confidentiality and data protection.
Risk management.
Safer recruitment.
Complaints and feedback.
Volunteer and staff support.
Supporting staff wellbeing and professional development,
Feedback from individuals and families accessing our services.
Case studies and outcome measures.
Partnership feedback.
Staff reflection and learning.
Continuous service improvement.

Through strong governance, True Butterflies ensures that we remain accountable to the survivors, families, communities, and partners we serve, while continuing to grow as a sustainable and impactful organisation.