Vida Sheffield has touched the lives of many women, families, volunteers, staff and supporters over the past 30 years. This space is dedicated to sharing memories, reflections and messages of thanks from those who wish to be part of Vida Sheffield’s legacy.
To every woman who trusted Vida:
Your courage has shaped this organisation and the people within it.
We hope you carry with you the knowledge that what happened to you does not define you, and that healing and change are possible.
To our staff, therapists, trustees and volunteers, past and present:
Your compassion, skill, commitment and humanity you have brought to this work and the impact you have made will continue far beyond Vida’s doors.
To funders, partners, supporters and the organisations:
You believed in our work and stood alongside survivors.
Thank You All
Empowering to believe in yourself and become stronger.
SurvivorVida has played such a massive part of my life, Jane has helped me grow as a therapist and the opportunities have given me the confidence and strength and the greatest gift to support so many women - I am forever grateful!
TherapistHealing, understanding, safety, care.
SurvivorA safe space for talking through problems.
SurvivorI will keep going – I can do this!
SurvivorTransformative – nothing short of life-changing!
EmployeeI will never forget how much my life has changed!
SurvivorGlad so many will keep on keeping on.
SurvivorYou’ve helped my partner now you’re going she will be lost but she has tools to help herself.
SupporterI’ll miss you all, the happy atmosphere which has made coming to work a real pleasure.
EmployeeHome from home, everyone respected me and kept me safe. It didn’t matter how.
SurvivorThank you for saving my life.
SurvivorI have been privileged and honoured to be part of this team and to meet some of the the bravest of women along the way. Women who not only have been brave enough to share their pain but also their strengths, wins and courage. You have all given me hope and I will never forget you. Thank you.
TherapistI want to thank Vida Sheffield for being there for me not only once but twice. I have learnt to love myself and understand that although my circumstances were not normal, my response was. I have achieved so much since finishing my second round of therapy from a new job, to unlocking new skills, standing up for myself and living a happy life with a record low level of anxiety that I am in control of. I was hoping that after a year I would get to send in an email to update everyone of my progress and what I have been able to achieve with the tools provided by Vida. I am heartbroken to hear that the service will no longer be available to those in need. Vida helped me transform from someone with severe anxiety triggered by any minor routine change to someone who is doing a self drive tour around Iceland in 3 days and hasn't lost appetite, sleep or spent week worrying.
SurvivorVida gave me my life back. Often abuse is portrayed in a certain way and that belief was challenged by the lovely folks at Vida. I had such low self esteem and was afraid that I would always be seen as too damaged. Without Vida and their care for the long term, lingering effects of abuse, I wouldn't be the person I am today. I will always be grateful for all of the team and the help they gave me. Thank you so much for giving my life back.
SurvivorI am so grateful that I could receive this extraordinary therapy service. It helped me to understand myself and the impact of my childhood trauma. Thank you, Vida!
SurvivorI can't thank VIDA enough for giving me an understanding of what traumatic abuse does to the psychology, and how to deal with the emotional response to truly awful situations. They gave me ways of recognising my responses and coping with the legacy of living with the aftermath of decades of coercive abuse. I am saddened to think that they will not be there in the future for people needing help, of which I am sure there will be more.
SurvivorI am devastated to hear this, Vida Sheffield changed my life and I owe everything to you.
SurvivorVida helped me through a very turbulent time and provided endless support, they got me through extremely difficult circumstances and always showed the upmost care and respect with no judgment. Without the help of the team and individuals that I had therapy with I would not have gotten through it. I will never forget the group sessions where I felt included and made new friends that were sharing similar experiences, the women's group offered so much support and I really don't know where I would have been without them. I thank all the staff that were there for me during that time, they helped me tremendously. I lived to tell the my survivor story, all thanks to VIDA.
SurvivorWorking at Vida and the women I worked with will always stay with me. It is such a massive loss that Vida has had to close, it was a brilliant organisation.
EmployeeI am very sad to hear that this service is closing. I used this service at a time when several other services had not really engaged with me on a level of rehabilitation. I gained so much from Vida and will always be grateful. For the first time, I was given the tools to open the cage.
SurvivorI came to Vida when I was in a very dark place in my life and felt cornered with my struggles. With the help of the group initially then the 1:1 therapy I gradually regained my clarity , dignity and respect for myself, quite simply Vida helped me to find light again, and did without a shadow of doubt save my life, it also gave me the tools and insight to continue to live and manage any future difficulties that arise with being a survivor, vida made an incredibly positive mark on my life that will live with me to the end, thank you xxxx
SurvivorI am so grateful to Vida and Sophie - she is such an amazing person and therapist. This is such sad news that you’re having to close your doors and I wish you all the very best. I will forever be eternally grateful for everything you did for me and I am sure many other women.
SurvivorSorry to hear you have closed, you leave a lasting legacy with all the lives you have supported over the years. Best of luck for the future to everyone who has worked with Vida over the years.
Supporter