About Vida

Vida Sheffield is an independent women’s voluntary sector organisation. We are a specialist trauma-focused and gender sensitive therapy service for women and girls whose mental health is affected by previous experiences of abuse and trauma. We work from a gendered perspective, as abuse is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men, and is usually targeted at women and girls.

VISION:

To bring hope, recovery and resilience to every woman whose mental health is affected by abuse.

MISSION:

Vida will provide gender-sensitive, trauma-focused therapeutic services to women whose mental health and well-being are affected by past experiences of abuse.

CORE VALUES:

• Commitment: we are committed to tackling the causes of abuse and providing the best services we can to those affected;
• Compassion: we understand impacts of abuse and trauma and promote non-judgemental, trauma informed, gender sensitive and strength based approaches;
• Collaboration: we are generous with our expertise and believe in working with partners and service users to create a culture of empowerment;
• Feminism: we see abuse as both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality, and believe people should be treated as equals.

Values of our Eva Therapy Service for women & girls:

• Vida view those who experience abuse and neglect as survivors, recognising the courage and strength in women and girls who move away from abuse towards recovery.
• We recognise that leaving and recovering from abuse is a process which takes time, and support survivors’ ongoing physical and emotional safety.
• We place the responsibility for abuse firmly with the perpetrator of the abuse.
• We aim to keep survivor voices at the heart of our services, with a focus on identity, meaning and resistance – survivors’ experiences are validated, which helps them get in touch with personal intuition.
• Reclaiming personal power is key, and we recognise that female socialisation and vulnerabilities can be a cause of psychological difficulties.
• Definitions of distress and mental ‘illness’ are reformulated to reduce self-blame, build self-worth and promote empowerment – shifting the focus from ‘what is wrong with you’ to ‘what has happened to you’.
• Recovery involves understanding and making sense of their own experiences, and allows space for emotional processing, which in turn builds resilience against future harm, for themselves and any children they care for.
• We believe the client is the only ‘expert’ in her own issues, and the therapist helps develop the tools needed to reach her potential as a unique and valued individual.
• The client’s safety and well-being is the leading principle in all aspects of therapy.

You can contact us to find out more about the work of Vida by ringing [0114] 275 0101 or emailing admin@vidasheffield.org.uk